Mental Health First Aid Training Course

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues. Thanks to a generous grant from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), MHFA courses are now offered to UNLV students, faculty, and staff free of charge now through Sept. 29, 2023.

About the Course

Mental Health First Aid from National Council for Mental Wellbeing logo
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) logo

Mental Health First Aid is a 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 developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.

Our in-person training allows participants to complete the entire course in one day.

Date Time
Saturday, April 15 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday, April 29 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday, May 6 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wednesday, May 24 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Our blended courses allow participants to complete the first half of the training course online prior to completing the second half in person.

Available course dates and times for the in-person portion are as follows.

Date Time
Friday, April 21 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Friday, April 28 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 11 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Friday, May 19 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Registration

Complete our MHFA course registration form to enroll in a class. Additional details regarding the course will be sent to you after you have successfully registered.

American Red Cross Certification Classes

We offer a variety of American Red Cross certifications such as Adult CPR/ First Aid/ AED, Lifeguarding, Lifeguard Instructor, and Water Safety Instructor. Our qualified instructors are available to teach private classes of 3 or more.

All certification classes will be taught on the MAC Courts.

The purpose of the American Red Cross Adult First Aid/CPR/AED program is to help participants recognize and respond appropriately to cardiac, breathing and first aid emergencies. The courses in this program teach skills that participants need to know to give immediate care to a suddenly injured or ill person until more advanced medical personnel arrive and take over. This is not a healthcare provider-equivalent class. Participants will receive a certificate upon successful completion of this course.

Class Dates Class Times Cost
1/27/2024 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. $75
2/17/2024 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. $75
3/23/2024 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. $75
4/27/2024 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. $75

Blended learning classes include a 2 hour online portion that must be completed prior to the start of the class. A link will be emailed to you with directions after registration.

The American Red Cross Lifeguarding classes are designed to teach you not only the basics in water safety but also the proper protocol when dealing with any emergencies around water. The Red Cross blends both traditional lecture style along with crucial hands-on training in order to teach you effective techniques to deliver prompt care to those in need. After successful completion of the course, participants will be certified in Lifeguarding, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, AED, and First Aid.

Prerequisites for the course must be successfully demonstrated on the first day of class. The prerequisites for this course are:

  • 300 yard, continuous swim
  • 2 minute tread without the use of hands
  • Brick test

Note: No refunds will be given to participants once the first day of class has begun. This is a multiple-day course. Participants must attend the entire course to qualify for certification.

Class Dates Class Times Cost
4/12 - 14/2024 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. (Friday), 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Saturday), 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Sunday) $175

The purpose of the Lifeguard Instructor course is to train instructor candidates to teach the American Red Cross Lifeguarding, Lifeguarding Blended Learning, Shallow Water Lifeguarding, Waterpark Skills, CPR/AED for the professional rescuers and Health Care Providers, Administering Emergency Oxygen and Bloodborne Pathogens Training courses and/or modules.

Prerequisites for this Lifeguarding Instructor course

  • Have a current American Red Cross Lifeguarding Certification
  • Must pass two rescue scenarios and CPR on first day of class

Note: No refunds will be given to participants once the first day of class has begun. This is a multiple-day course. Participants must attend entire course to qualify for certification.

The purpose of the American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety program is to teach people to be safe, in, on or around the water and to teach people of different ages and abilities how to swim. Participants will receive a certificate upon successful completion of this course.

Prerequisites for this Water Safety Instructor course

  • Demonstrating strokes consistent with Level 4: Front Crawl, Back Crawl, Breaststroke, Elementary Backstroke, Sidestroke – 25 yards. Butterfly – 15 yards

This is a blended learning course with 30 hours of online pre-work that must be completed prior to the start of the class. Last day to register is March 3, 2023, pre-work will be accessible online after registration.

This course helps to fulfill the Coaches Safety Education requirement for USA Swimming and Y USA with a 2 year certification. Prerequisites: Must be at least 15 years of age by the end of the course and must be comfortable in chest-deep water. This class is the in-water verification portion only. You must complete the American Red Cross online content prior to this class.

The Safety Training for Swim Coaches course offers up-to-date content on safe sport policies, emergency planning and first aid, including:

  • Maintaining a comfortable and safe environment for swimmers
  • Preventing accidents and emergencies
  • Responding to ill or injured swimmers in water or on land
A man using a baby dummy to demonstrate how to help an infant in case of a pool emergency

Contact

Elisa Marcheschi Hickey
Program Coordinator for Aquatics
702-774-7113
elisa.marcheschi@unlv.edu

Lifeguard Office
Graduate Assistant for Aquatics
702-774-7112
srwc.aquatics@unlv.edu