Adult Mental Health First Aid Training
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a skills-based training program that teaches people how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges.
It’s similar to traditional first aid, but instead of treating physical injuries, MHFA focuses on:
- Recognizing early signs and symptoms of mental health problems
- Offering initial help and support
- Assessing for risk of suicide or harm
- Listening non-judgmentally
- Encouraging appropriate professional help and self-help strategies
- Assisting in crisis situations (e.g., panic attacks, overdose, psychosis)
This is a 8-hour training course, and a 3-year certificate will be provided once all components of the course has been completed. You will be expected to complete pre-training and post-training surveys.
Space is limited, so please register to join us.
Presenter: Professor Ali M. Gheith, Director of Emergency and Disaster Management, Metropolitan College of New York
About Professor Ali
Ali M. Gheith currently serves as the director of the Emergency and Disaster Management at Metropolitan College of New York. Gheith started his professional career as Information Officer at the United Nation in New York. In early 2003, Gheith joined the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as a Director of Population Based Resilience where he coordinated all disaster mental health training for city-wide mental health responders. He responded to all major crisis in New York since September 11th. In July 2016, Gheith Served as Director of the Office of Community Resilience where he functioned as the designated Incident Command System (ICS)/Continuity of Operations (COOP) Liaison for the Division of Mental Hygiene, ensuring the integration with the Office of Emergency Planning and Response. Gheith has worked with trauma survivors for over 30 years and speaks internationally on trauma informed care.
Prior to Joining NYC Health Department, Gheith worked at Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute as research Project Director for studies on early psychosis, drug use, homelessness among single adults, mental illness, and service needs. In April 2020, Gheith joined Hagerty Consulting Response Division as a response professional providing support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gheith is a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) credential by IAEM and FEMA-certified Master Exercise Practitioner (MEP). Gheith is a certified Lead Auditor by the Business Continuity Institute (BCI). Gheith is a certified professional Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and Psychological First Aid (PFA) trainer, and certified QPR Gatekeeper instructor. Gheith collaborated with the Metropolitan City of Venice in prioritization of resilience initiatives for climate related disasters by identifying robust initiatives across a range of possible future scenarios. Gheith is an expert in developing community resilience and culturally appropriate awareness training workshops for first responders to assist them in providing appropriate services for diverse communities. Gheith has been providing mental health support for asylum seekers and new refugees. He continues to collaborate with international relief organizations in providing Trauma Informed disaster mental health services to victims and first responders.
Gheith is the recipient of the NYC Distinguished Service Award for his work with community and faith leaders across New York City. Gheith has received multiple Proclamation/Citation from the Mayors' office as recently as October 2023 and the Brooklyn Borough President Office for his work in Emergency Management and Public Mental Health Education. He is also a visiting professor of emergency and disaster management at the University of Malaga in Spain.
If you have any questions, you can reach the Community Health Team at healthybklyn@bklynlibrary.org.
