Mental Health First Aid Training
Mental Health First Aid Training
Equipping faculty and staff in Illinois’ public higher education institutions with the skills and resources to support mental health and well-being on campus. Through the ICC TAC, access a Mental Health First Aid training funded by ICC TAC MHEAC, facilitated by our certified instructors, and discover what MHFA can bring to your organization.
Ready to take the next step? Submit our MHFA interest form to set up a training for your staff.
What is Mental Health First Aid? Who benefits?
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based training program that teaches individuals how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health challenges, behavioral health concerns, and substance use issues. Much like traditional first aid equips someone to assist with physical health emergencies, MHFA prepares and empowers people to provide initial support to someone experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge or crisis until appropriate professional help can be connected.
Who benefits from becoming certified?
MHFA certification is valuable for anyone who wants to build confidence in recognizing when someone may be struggling and learn how to respond with empathy, safety, and effectiveness. Educators, managers, community leaders, healthcare workers, first responders, parents, and peers often find the training especially useful, but anyone can benefit. Certification strengthens one’s ability to contribute to safer, more supportive environments at work, school, and in the community by reducing stigma, improving communication, and promoting early intervention.
Meet the MHFA Instructors
Taylor Blakeley, PhD, CRSS
Dr. Blakeley is an assistant professor in the Dept. of Psychiatry at SIU School of Medicine, project manager with the Illinois Behavioral Health Workforce Center, and adjunct professor at Purdue University Global. He holds a Ph.D. and Master’s in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Liberty University, graduating with highest honors, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Benedictine University. He is a Certified Recovery Support Specialist and former clinical supervisor in behavioral health and correctional institutions. Dr. Blakely teaches Mental Health First Aid to various populations and is an advocate for developmentally disabled individuals seeking employment.
Kyle Fontaine, MBA, MS, BS, BEd
Kyle works for both the Illinois Campus Cares Technical Assistance Center and the Illinois Behavioral Health Workforce Center at SIU School of Medicine. Before stepping into this role, Kyle was a high school teacher supporting young adults who thrived in nontraditional learning environments. His passion for creating inclusive, supportive spaces carries into his current work. As a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Kyle partners with colleagues to break down the stigma around behavioral health, empowering others to listen, offer support and respond confidently when someone is struggling.
Joshua Laughhunn, MBA
Joshua graduated from the University of Illinois Springfield in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Clinical Psychology. He then subsequently received his Master of Business Administration degree from SIU Edwardsville in October of 2025. He has received professional experience as a Community Mental Health Worker. Joshua has also previously served his community as a Volunteer Firefighter/EMT-Basic for four years. He has been through various pathways of education which ultimately led him to be the Pathways Program Coordinator for the Behavioral Health Workforce Center. He is passionate about serving his community and has made it a mission to instruct as many community members and Illinois residents in Mental Health First Aid as possible.
Interested in becoming certified, or certifying your organizational staff?
Our MHFA instructors offer in-person and virtual trainings that are funded by ICC TAC MHEAC. To learn more and initiate the process of scheduling a training for yourself and/or your personnel please fill out and submit an Interest Form by clicking the button below.