What participants gain

—Recognize signs of mental health and substance-use problems

—Use a proven five-step action plan to offer initial help

—Guide someone toward appropriate professional, peer or self-care support

—Reduce stigma and increase mental health literacy across the team

—Earn an MHFA certification valid for three years

MHFA certification across Canada

Official MHFA courses delivered in person in major Canadian cities or live virtually for teams anywhere in the country. Choose the 8-hour MHFA Standard or the 16-hour MHFA certification course.

In-person cities

Toronto, Ontario
Vancouver, British Columbia
Calgary, Alberta
Ottawa, Ontario
Montreal, Quebec
Edmonton, Alberta
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Halifax, Nova Scotia

Virtual delivery

Ontario
British Columbia
Alberta
Quebec
Manitoba
Nova Scotia
New Brunswick
Saskatchewan
and all territories

Frequently asked questions

Is this an official MHFA certification course?

Yes. I am a Certified MHFA Facilitator through Opening Minds, an initiative of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, licensed to deliver official Mental Health First Aid courses. Participants who complete either the 8-hour MHFA Standard or the 16-hour MHFA certification course receive official MHFA certification.

Can MHFA be delivered virtually to teams outside Ontario?

Yes. Virtual MHFA delivery is available for teams anywhere in Canada. The format includes live instruction, breakout discussions and the same certification as in-person sessions.

How long is the MHFA workshop?

I offer two official MHFA certification options: the 8-hour MHFA Standard and the 16-hour MHFA certification course. The right choice depends on your team's time, depth needs and prior mental health training experience. We can discuss this during the free consultation.

Who should take MHFA training?

MHFA is valuable for anyone in an organization — frontline staff, managers, executives, educators, volunteers and people leaders. The skills help teams respond early and safely to mental health concerns.

Case studies from delivered training

Recent work with settlement-sector and newcomer-serving organizations across Canada.

MHFA certification for settlement-sector frontline staff

Context: Settlement service providers supporting newcomers and refugees, where staff regularly hear stories of displacement, loss and trauma.
What I delivered: Facilitated the official Mental Health First Aid course from the Mental Health Commission of Canada, adapted with newcomer-serving scenarios and discussion prompts drawn from settlement work.
Result: Participants completed the course certified, with a shared action plan and shared language for responding when a client or colleague is struggling.

Compassion fatigue support for newcomer-serving teams

Context: Client-facing staff carrying high caseloads and repeated exposure to distressing disclosures.
What I delivered: A practical session naming compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma and burnout, followed by team-level boundary setting and recovery practices they could apply immediately.
Result: Teams left with individual reset practices and team agreements on debriefing after difficult client interactions.

Trauma-informed communication for intake and reception roles

Context: First points of contact where a single conversation shapes whether someone returns for service.
What I delivered: Scenario-based practice on tone, pacing, choice and consent in intake conversations, including de-escalation and warm handoffs.
Result: Staff adopted concrete phrasing for difficult moments and clearer escalation paths to supervisors.

MHFA Certification Workshops Across Canada