Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Course

“The Mental Health First Aid training was an invaluable course to take, particularly within the context of what many perceive to be the current mental health crisis in the United States. The instructors were clear, well-paced, and empathetic; giving participants ample opportunities to excuse themselves should the topics become triggering. It was a wonderful, collegial opportunity to spend time with other members of the Pace Community as well."

The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course developed by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing teaches faculty and staff how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training provides the skills needed to offer initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.

The MHFA course

Attendees complete a virtual two-hour pre-course module session, and then attend a live virtual course from 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. on a designated day with other Pace attendees. The course, presented by trainers from Montefiore Medical Center, covers a number of critical topics in mental health wellbeing and allows for small group discussions with Pace colleagues.

NOTE: Courses will be offered approximately once per month based on availability of the Montefiore training staff.

Sign-up

To sign up for an upcoming course, email Vinnie Birkenmeyer, Director of Residential Life on the Westchester Campus at vbirkenmeyer@pace.edu. Vinnie will discuss potential dates with you.

After signing up, attendees will

• Receive an email from Vinnie Birkenmeyer with next steps.
• Receive an email from the course’s learning management system approximately three (3) weeks before the designated course date with instructions about how to complete the two-hour pre-course module. Be sure to block off their calendars for the entire day of the course, since it runs from 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Program Background

In 2023, Pace University was accepted as a participant in a grant awarded to Montefiore Medical Center to provide MHFA training to faculty and staff free of cost for a two-year period with the potential to extend the program for an additional two years. As of Fall 2023, over 60 faculty and staff members at Pace have completed the course and have successfully learned more about this critical topic.

Thank you to our partners at Montefiore Medical Center for making this important learning opportunity possible for Pace University faculty and staff.