MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID PROGRAM
Identify. Understand. Respond.
The Mental Health First Aid Training Program is an 8-hour certification course designed to give participants the tools to respond to psychiatric emergencies until professional help arrives and improve mental health literacy.
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Please note: Class size is limited. If you need to cancel or reschedule your registration, please contact our administrative team at MHFA@mhasd.org
IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY
Teaching the Skills to Respond to Signs of Mental Illness & Substance Use
Who can participate?
Family members of those with a mental illness diagnosis, teachers, employers, educators, human resource professionals, private businesses, and many more.
Specialized courses
Specialized classes for: teens, adults, older adults, adults working with youth, law enforcement, veterans, faith-based, family members of those diagnosed with a mental illness, higher education. Classes are also available in Spanish.
Who is not eligible?
Not eligible for Licensed Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, or Licensed Clinical Counselors.
Interested in hosting a training?
If you are interested in having a private training for your staff at your location, please call 619-543-0412, Option 2 or dial ext. 113 to speak to the Program Coordinator directly. Please note you must have at least 10 participants. Not eligible for Licensed Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, or Licensed Clinical Counselors.
Need to cancel your registration or have a question?
Class size is limited! If you need to cancel or reschedule your registration, please contact our administrative team at MHFA@mhasd.org
Brian LaPolla
Program Manager
Brian joined Mental Health of America in 2023 and is a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor. He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and communication from the University of Maryland. Brian has worked with for non-profit organizations in Florida and California servicing the homeless population, worked for Kaiser Permanente and UCSD Health, and worked for the County of San Diego on their local COVID-19 crisis team starting as a staff member and eventually promoted to Operations Leads of a specialized unit. Brian is also TEFL certified (Teach English as a Foreign/Secondary Language) and has taught adult Spanish speakers and to students in Beijing, China. In his free time, Brian prides himself as an avid gamer, scuba diver, international traveler, and foodie – checking out the best spots to eat through San Diego.
Racquel Morrison
Program Coordinator
Racquel serves as Program Coordinator for Mental Health First Aid, a program of Mental Health America of San Diego County. She has been with MHASD for almost 12 years, providing trainings regarding mental wellness to individuals of various backgrounds. An avid world traveler, she loves to learn about different cultures, spirituality and history. Her retirement dream is to one day live on an island, and run a bed and breakfast, with her four-legged family members.
Sergio Rosas
Spanish Speaking Instructor
Coming Soon!
Tony Ewing
Instructor
Tony is a certified Instructor teaching Mental Health First Aid to the general Community, Law Enforcement, Fire/EMS First Responders, Higher Education, and the Military/Veterans. Additionally, he teaches criminal justice courses as a consultant to various law enforcement agencies; and he is an adjunct instructor at San Diego State University’s College of Extended Studies. Tony is a United States Army veteran, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from California State University-Sacramento (1993); a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Kaplan/Purdue University (2015), and in progress with his doctoral studies in Psychology at Northcentral University. He is also retired from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation where he was employed as a correctional officer and parole agent. In regard to Tony’s self-care he is a practitioner of both Tai Chi and Krav Maga martial arts, and he likes to cook.
Tiffany Heffernan
Instructor
In June of 2024, Tiffany joined Mental Health America of San Diego as a Mental Health First Aid Instructor. With a Bachelor of Art in Applied Sciences from San Diego State University and a California Teaching Credential in Elementary Education from Cal State Los Angeles, Tiffany is eager to apply her teaching expertise to mental health education. A native San Diegan, she hails from a large family (1 of 8 kids and auntie to 13 nieces & nephews). Outside of work, Tiffany enjoys both indoor and outdoor gardening, spending time with her two cats, participating in trivia and yoga with friends, and going on drives with her husband in her prized 1992 cherry red Summer Edition Mustang.
"We have over 300 employees and this course proved so beneficial for our company. The information is vital and certainly ensures we are prepared to handle many situations in the appropriate manner."