Mental Health First Aid - Questions and Answers

  • Q1. What is Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)?

    Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

    MHFA training aims to increase knowledge of mental illness and provide the skills and knowledge to help people better manage potential or developing mental health problems in themselves, a family member, a friend or a colleague.

MHFA at ESDC

  • Q2. Is there a Mental Health First Aid Attendant program at ESDC?

    No. Although the Department has a physical First Aid Program required by the Canada Labour Code, Part II, ESDC has not established a program by which employees are trained and expected to be available as MHFA attendants (or providers) in the workplace. ESDC employees may request to attend a MHFA course to help increase their awareness; however, an employee cannot be designated as a MHFA Attendant within the workplace.

  • Q3. Why does ESDC not have a Mental Health First Aid Attendant program?

    Although MHFA training can increase a person’s ability to recognize signs and symptoms of a mental health issue or crisis, more comprehensive, professionally trained resources and services are available through ESDC's Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAP, delivered by Health Canada, is the Department’s provider of mental health related counselling and coaching services.

MHFA Training

  • Q4. What training is available in Mental Health First Aid and how can it be accessed?

    One common source of training is the MHFA Canada program, developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. This program has several course offerings, including a two-day MHFA Basic course. The ‘Basic’ course is not a prerequisite to another advanced level course.

    An employee who has an interest in taking the MHFA Basic course should:

    • review these departmental questions and answers on MHFA to fully understand the role of MHFA within ESDC;
    • review the course outline to ensure it aligns with their learning expectations; and
    • discuss their learning request with their manager and follow the established procedures for requesting training.

    When considering training requests for MHFA, the employee’s manager should:

    • review these departmental questions and answers on MHFA to fully understand the role of MHFA within ESDC;
    • review the course outline, consider the learning objectives of the employee, and the overall benefits to the employee and the workplace;
    • ensure the employee is aware they will not play a MHFA Attendant role in the workplace; and
    • follow the established procedures for approving training requests.
  • Q5. What can participants learn during the two-day Mental Health First Aid Basic course offered by the Mental Health Commission of Canada?

    Attending the two-day Mental Health First Aid Basic course provides a better understanding of mental illness and helps participants:

    • recognize the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems and gauge their own mental health;
    • provide initial help to a family member, a friend or a colleague; and
    • guide a person towards appropriate professional help.

    The course does not teach people how to be therapists or counsellors, nor to diagnose mental health illness.

Other Mental Health Programs and Resources

  • Q6. What programs or resources are currently in place to assist employees who may be experiencing a mental health problem or emergency?

    ESDC’s Employee Assistance Program offers a wide array of services which can be used to address both acute and chronic mental health problems. Such services provide employees and family members with individual, confidential counselling in dealing with potential or developing mental health problems, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In crisis situations, professional assistance is immediately available over the phone.

  • Q7. What programs or resources are currently in place to assist managers who may be concerned for employees who may be experiencing mental health problems?

    If managers are concerned that an employee is experiencing mental health problems, they should contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Management Advisory Services for assistance. Managers will have access to a trained professional who may guide the manager on how to work with the employee to address the issue. Managers should also remind the employee of services available to them through the EAP, including mental health support services.

    Managers may also consult the Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace - Manager's Guide (PDF, 8.6 MB) available through the National Managers’ Community page to find out more about the role they can play in MHFA.

  • Q8. Where can I find additional information about mental health in the workplace?

    For more information, visit ESDC’s Mental Health in the Workplace site on iService.

    Another in-house training option available on the broader topic of mental health is the Joint Learning Program (JLP) workshop on Mental Health in the Workplace, available in either a one-day or two-day format. The goal of this workshop is to help raise awareness and equip participants with the skills and knowledge to promote mental health in the workplace.