Mental Health First Aid Trainings

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a certification course that teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be experiencing mental health symptoms or a crisis.

We provide Adult and Youth MHFA trainings to the general public, including mayors, public health officers, community leaders, and others. We also provide perinatal MHFA trainings to community health workers, doulas, nurses, and others.

Upcoming Trainings

Registration

Funding Opportunity: Mayors Wellness Campaign Mental Health Initiative

In partnership with the New Jersey League of Municipalities, and funded by Walmart, the Quality Institute’s Mayors Wellness Campaign (MWC) is issuing a request for proposals focused on addressing community mental health needs. Programs can address mental health, substance use, intimate partner violence and/or stigma.

Funding Available

Eligible municipalities can apply for funding amounts of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. There will be up to 10 awards totaling $67,500. 

Eligibility

Eligible applicants must be:

  • A New Jersey municipal government agency
  • Part of the Mayors Wellness Campaign (if you are unsure if your municipality is part of the MWC or to sign up, reach out to kbisaha@njhcqi.org)
  • Only one application per municipality will be accepted
  • If the municipality received a 2023 MWC Mental Health Initiative Grant, they must be in good standing on current grant requirements to apply

Schedule

Technical Assistance Webinar: August 6, 12:00 p.m.

Responses Due: September 12, 2025 5:00 p.m.

Award Notification: October 20,2025

Contract Period: November 1, 2025 – October 31,2026

Schedule of Interventions Due: January 2026

Interim Reports Due: May 2026

Final Reports Due: November 2026

 Register for the Webinar Download the Application Download the Budget Form

Our Impact

See how our MHFA trainings have impacted our partners across the state.

Mayors Wellness Campaign (MWC)

Read Summary Now

Perinatal MHFA

Read White Paper Now

Children’s Mental Health Mapping

In this project, the Quality Institute is mapping out the many pathways for children seeking mental health care in New Jersey. The map will assist state decision makers and the public in understanding and improving those systems.

The map and supporting materials will focus on both medical and non-medical entry points into mental health care services. Our work includes reviewing the existing programs, laws, contracts, and available performance data.  In addition, we are engaging stakeholders from families to clinicians and convening an advisory group of subject matter experts.

Finally, we will provide recommendations for improving New Jersey’s systems of mental health care to make them more accessible, affordable, and to best serve the children and families of New Jersey.

For more information contact Julie DeSimone, Director of Community Health, at JDeSimone@njhcqi.org.

Mayors Wellness Campaign Mental Health Toolkit

The MWC created this Mental Health Toolkit after hearing that mental health was a top concern of local leaders.

This toolkit will help communities engage residents on this important topic as well as support those in need of mental health services and support. In the toolkit you will find:

  • Basic education on mental health and an overview of common mental health issues
  • Strategies and program ideas that communities can implement to address mental health locally
  • Resources for mayors and community leaders to share with residents that need mental health services and support

The MWC Mental Health Toolkit was generously supported by The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey.

 

Download Toolkit

MWC Social Isolation Toolkit

This toolkit serves as a guide for communities to create a volunteer-based program to address the issue of social isolation and connect people at the local level. In the toolkit you will find:

  • Step-by-step instructions on how to recruit both older adult program participants and volunteers.
  • Strategies for preparing program participants and training volunteers, increasing the likelihood for a successful experience.
  • Tools for program participants, such as a “Conversation Starter” guide and “Resource List” to prepare them for their interactions and assist with getting older adults connected to other services they may need.
  • Guidance for communities on how best to evaluate the impact of the program.

 

Download Toolkit