Mental Health First Aid
MHFA Basic
MHFA Basic is intended for adults interacting with adults (18 years and older). This course focuses on the four most common mental health disorders including substance related, mood related, anxiety and trauma related, and psychotic disorders. Participants who take this course are well prepared to interact confidently about mental health with their family, friends, communities, and workplaces.
MHFA Standard (Virtual)
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the support provided to a person who may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health crisis. The Mental Health Commission of Canada reports that one in every five Canadians experiences a mental health problem within a given year. While we often know a lot about physical illness, there tends to be less knowledge about mental health or substance use problems. This lack of understanding leads to fear and negative attitudes towards individuals living with these problems. It prevents people from seeking help for themselves and from providing appropriate support to people around them.
Public and private groups available.
MHFA Standard (Face-To-Face)
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the support provided to a person who may be experiencing a decline in their mental well-being or a mental health crisis. The Mental Health Commission of Canada reports that one in every five Canadians experiences a mental health problem within a given year. While we often know a lot about physical illness, there tends to be less knowledge about mental health or substance use problems. This lack of understanding leads to fear and negative attitudes towards individuals living with these problems. It prevents people from seeking help for themselves and from providing appropriate support to people around them.
Next Mental Health First Aid courses available:
In Person
Register and purchase your spot: June 13, 2023 (In Person)(FULL)
Register and purchase your spot: July 19, 2023 (In Person)
Register and purchase your spot: August 16, 2023 (In Person)
Register and purchase your spot: September 13, 2023 (In Person)
Register and purchase your spot: October 5, 2023 (In Person)
Register and purchase your spot: November 7, 2023 (In Person)
Register and purchase your spot: December 6, 2023 (In Person)
Register and purchase your spot: January 25, 2024 (In Person)
Register and purchase your spot: February 22, 2024 (In Person)
Register and purchase your spot: March 27, 2024 (In Person)
Cost $250.00 per participant.
Cancellation Policy
Registrations are non-refundable.
CMHA, Kamloops reserves the right to cancel or postpone workshops due to under-enrollment, instructor illness, inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances. If a course is cancelled, you may transfer to another course at no additional cost or receive a full refund. This is the only circumstance under which CMHA Kamloops Branch will issue a refund.
If your plans change after you have registered you may designate a substitute to attend in your place, at no extra cost. Please notify us of the name of the person attending as soon as possible prior to the course date for which you registered. This will allow us to correct our records and minimize confusion at check-in.
Effective: January 1, 2022
More Information: www.mhfa.ca
Education and Training
Karina Laitres is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse and CMHA Kamloops’ Community Educator. Karina creates and facilitates mental health workshops and training courses for CMHA employees, community members, businesses, and organizations locally, nationally and internationally. She supports the community of Kamloops through her dedication to advocacy and continued drive to educate and empower others. Karina has experience working in a wide variety of areas and populations within the field of mental health and addictions. She has lead projects assisting organizations with needs assessments and comprehensive planning to fill in gaps in service, guided by research and best practice principals. Most recently, Karina completed a project with the Edmonton Police Service and an extensive homelessness stigma reduction project in the city of Kamloops, BC. Additionally, Karina facilitates workshops for Nurse Practitioners through the Nurse and Nurse Practitioners of British Columbia’s Mobile Skills Program. Karina is very passionate about mental health, addictions, vulnerable populations, our community, and the power of education.
Karina.laitres@cmha.bc.ca
Christa Haywood-Farmer has delivered trainings, workshops and education to Kamloops and region for over 15 years. Within that time, she has had opportunities to develop programming, to teach and train staff, volunteers and communities, and to build relationships and trust with those accessing service. Her focus throughout her career has been mental health which includes promoting awareness in the hopes of decreasing stigma. In 2009, Christa received certification to deliver Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and has provided courses to university staff and faculty, RCMP members, fire fighters, city workers, family members, paramedics and numerous students and volunteers. As a MHFA instructor, she brings an empathetic approach that she gained while working directly with individuals experiencing mental health issues. She highlights the need to respond authentically, respectfully and with kindness. She equips herself with strong awareness and connection to applicable community resources to help participants feel confident within their learning.
Christa.haywoodfarmer@cmha.bc.ca
