Mental Health First Aid Training
This training course gives participants the tools to identify when someone might be struggling with a mental health or substance use problem and to connect them with appropriate support and resources. Mental Health First Aid prepares individuals to respond to mental health crises with confidence and compassion, using a proven 5-step action plan.
1 in 5 Americans has a mental illness, but many are reluctant to seek help or might not know where to turn for care.
Unlike physical conditions, symptoms of mental health and substance use problems can be difficult to detect. For friends and family members, it can be hard to know when and how to step in. As a result, those in need of mental health services often do not get them until it is too late.
Just as CPR helps even those without clinical training assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid prepares participants to interact with a person experiencing a mental health crisis. Mental Health First Aiders learn a 5-step action plan that guides them through the process of reaching out and offering appropriate support.
“Through this program, we hope to take the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and sub-stance use problems,” says Linda Rosenberg President and CEO of the National Council for Behavioral Health, which helped bring Mental Health First Aid to the U.S. in 2008. “When more people are equipped with the tools they need to start a dialogue, more people can get the help they may need.”
Learning Objectives
- Recognize signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges
- Understand how to approach and support someone in crisis
- Learn the 5-step action plan for mental health first aid response
- Reduce stigma and promote early intervention
- Connect individuals with appropriate professional help
Participants will receive a certificate of completion from Community Health Network. The training is nationally recognized and adheres to best practices in mental health education.
Date: February 10, 2026
Time: 8 AM – 5 PM
Location: Community Health Fairbanks, 8102 Clearvista Pkwy, Indianapolis, IN 46256
Cost: $125 for members, $175 for nonmembers
Provider: Community Health Network
Attendees can earn up to 0.7 CEU credit for this event by attending and completing a comprehensive check. Safety Resources is our authorized IACET CEU provider.
Instructors
Kimble Richardson, M.S., LMHC, LCSW, LMFT, LCAC, Community Health Network – Community Fairbanks Behavioral Health and Community Fairbanks Recovery Center
Kimble has over 37 years of experience in behavioral health and currently serves as Manager of Business Development and Referrals for Community Health Network – Community Fairbanks Behavioral Health and Recovery Center. He is licensed in Indiana as a mental health counselor, clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, and clinical addiction counselor. Kimble has extensive experience in crisis intervention and resilience training, serving as clinical coordinator for Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) teams and providing support for first responders during major incidents. He is a certified instructor for Mental Health First Aid and other evidence-based programs and has presented nationally and internationally on behavioral health topics.
Sergeant Lance Dardeen, Mobile Crisis Assistance Team (M-CAT) – Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
Sergeant Dardeen has served with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department since 2009. He holds a master’s degree in Justice Administration and is a certified instructor in Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for adults and youth, Mental Health First Aid, and Fair and Impartial Policing. Dardeen has extensive experience in community engagement and crisis response, working to connect individuals with mental health resources and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations. He also serves as CIT Coordinator for IMPD and is actively involved in leadership development and training initiatives across the department.
VIEW FULL SCHEDULE OF 2026 TRAININGS
