Mental Health First Aid: How to Support Someone in a Mental Health Crisis

What Is Mental Health First Aid?

Mental health first aid is the help provided to a person who is developing a mental health problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health condition, or going through a mental health crisis. Just as physical first aid is administered before professional medical treatment is available, mental health first aid bridges the gap between the onset of a mental health crisis and the arrival of professional support.

In Canada, one in five people will experience a mental health problem or illness in any given year, and by the age of 40, approximately 50 percent of the population will have had or currently have a mental illness. Despite these staggering numbers, most Canadians receive no training in how to recognize or respond to mental health emergencies. This gap in knowledge contributes to delays in treatment, worsening outcomes, and tragically, preventable deaths from suicide. Learning mental health first aid is just as important as learning physical first aid—and often, the two go hand in hand.

Why Mental Health First Aid Training Matters

The stigma surrounding mental illness remains one of the greatest barriers to people seeking help. Many individuals experiencing a mental health crisis do not reach out for professional support because they feel ashamed, fear judgment, or do not believe their suffering is “serious enough” to warrant help. A person trained in mental health first aid can be the catalyst that encourages someone to seek the treatment they need.

Mental health first aid training equips you to recognize the signs and symptoms of common mental health conditions including depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis, substance use disorders, and eating disorders. It teaches you how to approach someone who may be struggling, how to have a supportive conversation without judgment, how to assess the risk of self-harm or suicide, and how to connect the person with appropriate professional resources. In workplace settings, mental health first aid training is increasingly recognized as essential alongside physical first aid and CPR training.

Recognizing a Mental Health Crisis

A mental health crisis is any situation in which a person’s behaviour puts them at risk of hurting themselves or others, or prevents them from being able to care for themselves or function effectively in the community. Mental health crises can manifest in many ways, and the signs are not always obvious.

Warning signs that someone may be experiencing a mental health crisis include sudden withdrawal from social activities, relationships, or work. Dramatic changes in mood, energy level, or behaviour that are out of character for the person. Expressions of hopelessness, worthlessness, or feeling trapped. Talking about being a burden to others or having no reason to live. Increased use of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications. Giving away possessions or making arrangements as if preparing for death. Extreme agitation, rage, or reckless behaviour without apparent cause. Hearing voices or experiencing beliefs that are disconnected from reality.

It is important to understand that a person in crisis may not look or act the way you expect. They may appear calm on the surface while experiencing intense internal distress. They may use humour to mask their pain. They may deny that anything is wrong when directly asked. Effective mental health first aid requires looking beyond surface behaviour and paying attention to patterns and changes over time.

The ALGEE Action Plan

Mental health first aid training commonly teaches the ALGEE action plan, a structured approach to supporting someone who may be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis.

A — Approach, assess, and assist with any crisis. If you believe someone is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others, do not leave them alone. Call 911 if there is an imminent safety threat. Approach the person calmly and non-judgmentally. Express your concern clearly and directly—for example, “I have noticed you seem really down lately, and I am worried about you.”

L — Listen non-judgmentally. Active, empathetic listening is the most powerful tool in mental health first aid. Let the person talk at their own pace without interrupting, minimizing, or offering unsolicited advice. Use open-ended questions like “How are you feeling?” and “What has been going on?” Avoid phrases like “just cheer up,” “everyone goes through this,” or “you have so much to be grateful for”—these well-intentioned comments can make a person feel dismissed and less likely to open up further.

G — Give reassurance and information. Reassure the person that mental health conditions are common, treatable, and nothing to be ashamed of. Share information about available resources without being pushy. Normalize their experience by saying something like “what you are going through sounds really difficult, and it makes sense that you are struggling.”

E — Encourage appropriate professional help. Gently encourage the person to seek professional support from a counsellor, therapist, physician, or crisis service. Offer to help them find a provider, make an appointment, or accompany them to their first session. Recognize that the decision to seek help ultimately belongs to the person—your role is to encourage and support, not to force.

E — Encourage self-help and other support strategies. Support the person in connecting with their existing support network, including family, friends, faith communities, and peer support groups. Encourage healthy coping strategies such as physical activity, mindfulness, journaling, and maintaining routines. Follow up with the person after your initial conversation to show that your concern was genuine and ongoing.

How to Talk About Suicide

One of the most important and most feared aspects of mental health first aid is addressing suicidal thoughts directly. Many people avoid asking about suicide because they worry that bringing it up will “plant the idea” in someone’s mind. Research consistently and clearly shows that this is not the case. Asking someone directly about suicidal thoughts does not increase their risk—it can actually reduce their distress by showing them that someone cares enough to ask the difficult question.

If you suspect someone may be thinking about suicide, ask clearly and directly: “Are you thinking about ending your life?” or “Are you having thoughts of suicide?” If the person says yes, take their disclosure seriously. Do not leave them alone. Help them contact a crisis service such as the 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline (call or text 988 in Canada), or call 911 if the danger is immediate. Remove or secure any means of self-harm if possible. Stay with the person until professional help arrives or the immediate crisis has passed.

Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace

Canadian workplaces are increasingly recognizing the importance of mental health support. The Mental Health Commission of Canada estimates that mental health problems cost Canadian employers approximately 51 billion dollars annually in lost productivity, absenteeism, and disability claims. Training designated employees in mental health first aid creates a more supportive work environment, reduces the stigma around seeking help, and enables early intervention before mental health problems escalate into crises.

Many Canadian employers now include Psychological First Aid certification as part of their workplace health and safety programs, alongside emergency preparedness training. Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics offers Psychological First Aid courses that can be delivered on-site at your workplace or at any of our training centres across Canada, including North York, Vaughan, Markham, and Newmarket.

Supporting Your Own Mental Health

Mental health first aiders must also care for their own wellbeing. Supporting someone through a mental health crisis can be emotionally draining, and it is important to recognize your own limits. Practice self-care after intense conversations—debrief with a trusted colleague or friend, take time for activities that recharge you, and do not hesitate to seek your own professional support if needed. Remember that you are not a therapist or counsellor—your role is to provide initial support and connect the person with professional resources, not to treat the condition yourself.

Learning to manage stress and build resilience is a valuable complement to mental health first aid training. The stress management techniques taught in first aid and psychological first aid courses apply to both the people you help and to yourself.

Conclusion

Mental health first aid saves lives just as surely as CPR does. In a country where mental illness affects millions of people every year, the ability to recognize a crisis, have a supportive conversation, and connect someone with professional help is one of the most valuable skills anyone can develop. You do not need to be a mental health professional to make a difference—you just need to care enough to learn how to help.