Multiple US Universities Expand Mental Health First Aid Training

Several universities and organizations across the United States are expanding and promoting mental health first aid training to improve community mental wellness and early intervention capabilities. Binghamton University is offering eight sessions of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training during the fall 2025 semester to equip faculty, staff, and students with skills to recognize and respond to mental health challenges, aiming to reduce stigma and increase campus support networks. The University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita has established fellowship programs in child and adolescent psychiatry and addiction medicine to address the shortage of specialists in the region, expecting to significantly increase the mental health workforce by 2028. Southern Illinois University and the University of Arkansas are also providing free MHFA and Youth Mental Health First Aid certification sessions, respectively, targeting faculty, staff, students, and community members to better identify and respond to mental health or substance use issues. Additionally, St John Ambulance in England is running a campaign offering free life-saving first aid training, including mental health components, to the public in September 2025. These coordinated efforts reflect a nationwide and international focus on building mental health literacy and intervention skills as part of broader health and wellness initiatives.