Mental health challenges touch every family, workplace, school, and community in America. Yet most people feel unprepared — unsure what to say, afraid of saying the wrong thing, or simply unaware of the warning signs. Hatherleigh is changing that.
Just as CPR training equips everyday people to respond to physical emergencies, Mental Health First Steps equips ordinary Americans to respond when someone may be struggling emotionally. You don't need to be a therapist to make a difference. You just need to know the first steps.
This initiative reflects a simple but powerful vision: a nation where every person has the ability to be a source of support, hope, and connection — in their home, their workplace, their school, and their neighborhood.
Rates of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and emotional distress continue to rise across the country. Mental health awareness should not be limited to healthcare professionals.
When more Americans learn how to recognize the signs, listen without judgment, and respond with empathy — lives can be changed, and potentially saved.
Whether you're a first-time learner or a community leader seeking advanced skills, Hatherleigh offers a clear and supportive path forward. Start with your fully funded scholarship — go as far as your role and passion takes you.
30–45 minutes. For every American. Learn to recognize distress, start a supportive conversation, respond to crisis signs, and connect others with help. Certificate included.
2–4 hours. Ideal for parents, teachers, coaches, employers, and faith leaders. Covers active listening, de-escalation, difficult conversations, trauma awareness, and referral pathways.
6–12 hours. Designed for organizational and community leaders. Includes peer support frameworks, community response planning, workplace mental health programs, and group facilitation.
Our campaign goal is bold and achievable: one million supportive conversations sparked by Americans who took the first step to learn, listen, and help.
Accessible and achievable for every busy American.
A fully funded scholarship — a $49 value provided at no cost, with no barriers, open to every person in the United States.
Available through December 31, 2026, in honor of Suicide Awareness Month.
Hatherleigh encourages individuals, businesses, schools, nonprofit organizations, civic groups, media, and community leaders to share this training opportunity as widely as possible throughout Suicide Awareness Month and beyond. The more people trained, the stronger our communities become.
Share this fully funded scholarship with your entire workforce. Support employee mental wellness at no cost to your organization.
Equip faculty, staff, and students with foundational mental health awareness skills. Create a safer campus community.
Partner with Hatherleigh to bring Mental Health First Steps to underserved communities, faith organizations, and volunteer networks.
Help amplify this public-good initiative. Every story shared brings us one step closer to a million trained, compassionate Americans.