Orlando Health Kicks Off Mental Health Awareness Month with Mental Health First Aid Training
Orlando, FL (May 4, 2026) – As Mental Health Awareness Month begins in May, Orlando Health is offering first aid training classes to teach the common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges as well as how to interact with a person in crisis.
The evidence-based, early-intervention course is administered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and uses community-specific scenarios, activities and videos. The course also teaches participants how to provide initial support until those in need receive appropriate professional help. Participants are directed to call the crisis line 988 or 911 for emergency situations.
“When we provide mental health support and equip people with the right resources, we strengthen the entire community,” said Sara Osborne, senior director, Orlando Health Community Benefit. “This course supplies individuals with the understanding and compassion to not only respond to potential challenges, but also to lead with empathy in their daily lives.”
During Mental Heath Awareness Month, Orlando Health will be teaming up with partners such as Orlando City Soccer Club and Oviedo Citizens in Action for classes.
The Mental Health First Aid training course is designed for participants who have little or no medical training but may be able to provide initial support to someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Examples of those who participate are employers, coaches, teachers, police officers, hospital staff, first responders, parents and more.
The classes are free and open to the community. Those interested can register here. Organizations that would like to do group sessions for their teams can email MentalHealthFirstAid@OrlandoHealth.com. Youth training is also available.
The program began as a result of Orlando Health Community Benefit’s Community Health Needs Assessment, which specifically identified mental health as a crucial need. Orlando Health hosts the courses in all regions it serves, including the Tampa Bay and Birmingham, Alabama, areas.
About Orlando Health
Orlando Health is a private not-for-profit, integrated academic healthcare system with $14 billion of assets under management, that serves the southeastern United States – including Florida and Alabama – and Puerto Rico. With corporate offices in Orlando, Florida the system provides a complete continuum of care across a network of medical centers and institutes, community and specialty hospitals, physician practices, urgent care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare, and long-term and behavioral health care services. Founded more than 100 years ago, Orlando Health’s mission is to improve the health and the quality of life of the individuals and communities we serve. The system provided nearly $2 billion in community impact in the form of community benefit programs and services, Medicare shortfalls, bad debt, community-building activities and capital investments in FY 24, the most recent period for which the information is available. For more information, visit orlandohealth.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.
