The pinnacle of our advocacy training programs, the Certified Mental Health Advocate© course, is designed for staff and professionals in advocacy work roles. This advanced level encompasses all the training from the previous levels and extends into areas like legislation, lobbying, public awareness, research fundraising, and community outreach. Participants will be empowered to drive systemic change and elevate mental health advocacy efforts within their communities.

Examples: Mental health career advocates, social workers, mental health trainers, wellness program coordinators, mental health facility staff, and anyone who wants to actively pursue advocacy on behalf of individuals living with mental health challenges of all kinds.

To become certified you will need to pass the Certification Exam. Annual renewal with continuing education is required to maintain certification.

You will learn about basic mental health challenges & obstacles, causes, prevention, and treatment resources, as well as crisis/suicide prevention & intervention information. You will learn ways to advocate, including legislative advocacy, awareness campaigns and initiatives, fundraising for research, and more. The full agenda is below.

1. Complete the Certified Mental Health Advocate© training course within a 120-day period.

2. Take and pass the CMHA© certification examination with at least a 90% score.

3. Every year renew the certification to keep it active.

4. Every year take 1 hour of CE (continuing education) classes provided by Center of Training in order to qualify for certification renewal. 

When you enroll in the Certified Mental Health Advocate© training course:

1. Access to the training course for 120 days. The course is 100% online, on a gradual release schedule over a 50-day period, and then once all the content is available, you may review it at your own pace within the timeframe.

2. Support & assistance with any questions or clarification needed throughout the training course.

3. PDF downloadable workbook which is designed to become your long-term reference manual so you always have the training content and information at your fingertips. You may also order a printed & bound workbook as an option.

After passing the Certified Mental Health Advocate© certification exam:

You will have earned the CMHA© designation!.. you can add "CMHA©" as credentials after your name and proudly claim the title Certified Mental Health Advocate© as long as you remain active with Center of Training.

NOTE: This certification does not license you, nor prepare you, nor entitle you to conduct counseling sessions, provide treatment, or otherwise administer professional help to someone in need. Licensed professionals typically have Master's or Doctorate level degrees, have gone through years of practicum and supervised experience, and maintain a professional licensure.   The CMHA© certification allows you to claim knowledge about mental health foundations and to provide initial support to those who you interact with, but this training then also teaches you how and when to refer someone to a licensed and specialty-trained professional for ongoing treatment.

When you enroll in the Certified Mental Health Advocate© training course:

1. Access to the training course for 120 days. The course is 100% online, on a gradual release schedule over a 50-day period, and then once all the content is available, you may review it at your own pace within the timeframe.

2. Support & assistance with any questions or clarification needed throughout the training course.

3. PDF downloadable workbook which is designed to become your long-term reference manual so you always have the training content and information at your fingertips. You may also order a printed & bound workbook as an option.

After passing the Certified Mental Health Advocate© certification exam:

You will have earned the CMHA© designation!.. you can add "CMHA©" as credentials after your name and proudly claim the title Certified Mental Health Advocate© as long as you remain active with Center of Training.

NOTE: This certification does not license you, nor prepare you, nor entitle you to conduct counseling sessions, provide treatment, or otherwise administer professional help to someone in need. Licensed professionals typically have Master's or Doctorate level degrees, have gone through years of practicum and supervised experience, and maintain a professional licensure.   The CMHA© certification allows you to claim knowledge about mental health foundations and to provide initial support to those who you interact with, but this training then also teaches you how and when to refer someone to a licensed and specialty-trained professional for ongoing treatment.

The CMHA© program is a certification rather than a license, and so it is recognized everywhere. Different types of training documentation and privileges are defined here:

1. Certificate of training -- this is a certificate/document provided when someone completes a training class which simply shows the training was attended or completed.  You can earn a certificate of training by completing the wellness programs specialist training course but not taking the exam. This does not enable you to use the credentials or claim yourself as a CMHA©.

2. Certification -- credentials and designation which is earned by completing a training program and passing a proficiency and knowledge examination. The provider/host of a certification program must be a subject matter expert who is qualified to teach and test the training content provided. Center of Training qualifies as a provider of certification in mental health and wellness programs. Read our "About Us" page here.

3. License -- a government-issued (typically) right to provide professional services within a particular location (state, etc.). The CMHA© is not a license, and does not train anyone to provide professional services like counseling, etc.

Costs & fees below are per person. We do offer group discounts for 5 or more enrollees from the same organization. Email us at [email protected] for more information.

Course/Exam:

- Training Course (Certified Mental Health Advocate©) enrollment tuition:  $295/person
- CMHA© Certification Exam: $100/person
- Training Course & Certification Exam Bundle: $350/person

Renewal/Continuing Education (CE):

- Annual CMHA© Certification Renewal:  $75
- Annual 1 CE Course:  $50

Once you pass the exam and graduate from the CMHA© program you may use the CMHA© designation credentials as long as you remain active. The following are required to retain active status as a CMHA©:

1. Annual renewal on your graduation anniversary date.

2. One (1) hour of CE (continuing education) training provided by Center of Training each year.  Every CMHA© will take the same CE classes for the purpose of standardization and cumulative learning - we want the CMHA© certification to be held at a very high standard so that anyone seeing you have earned this CMHA© designation knows that you have gained extensive knowledge and are continuing to learn and stay current on wellness program topics.

Please note that the CMHA© certification belongs to the individual and not to any employing organization.

The CMHG© training program is for those who are in roles that open up opportunities for supporting individuals who are struggling with life or mental health challenges. 

In addition to all the topics taught in the Mental Health Ally course, CMHG© graduates will be skilled in guiding others to appropriate help and support, and in assisting them to create personalized resource networks and plans for any future challenging times.

Examples: Support group facilitators, social workers, educators, wellness program coordinators, executives and supervisors, church staff, chaplains, physicians & nurses, mental health facility staff, crisis line call-takers, dispatchers, teachers & principals, attorneys, hair stylists, bartenders, etc. 

Through the Certified Mental Health Guide© training you will learn about basic mental health challenges & obstacles, causes, prevention, and treatment resources, as well as crisis/suicide prevention & intervention information. To become certified you will need to pass the Certification Exam. Annual renewal with continuing education is required to maintain certification. 

Building on the principles of the Mental Health Ally© program, the Certified Mental Health Guide© training adds a certification component. This level not only covers advanced listening and support techniques but also trains participants on how to connect individuals to local and national resources. Your CMHG© training course will prepare you for the CMHG© certification exam, and thoroughly covers topics related to mental health foundations, recognizing when someone is in crisis, how to talk & listen to someone who needs support, what resources are best for different situations and how/when to connect someone to resources.

1. Complete the Certified Mental Health Guide© training course within a 120-day period.

2. Take and pass the CMHG© certification examination with at least a 90% score.

3. Every year renew the certification to keep it active.

4. Every year take 1 hour of CE (continuing education) classes provided by Center of Training in order to qualify for certification renewal. 

When you enroll in the Certified Mental Health Guide© training course:

1. Access to the training course for 120 days. The course is 100% online, on a gradual release schedule over a 35-day period, and then once all the content is available, you may re-view it at your own pace within the timeframe.

2. Support & assistance with any questions or clarification needed throughout the training course.

3. PDF downloadable workbook which is designed to become your long-term reference manual so you always have the training content and information at your fingertips. You may also order a printed & bound workbook as an option.

After passing the Certified Mental Health Guide© certification exam:

You will have earned the CMHG© designation!.. you can add "CMHG" as credentials after your name and proudly claim the title Certified Mental Health Guide© as long as you remain active with Center of Training.

NOTE: This certification does not license you, nor prepare you, nor entitle you to conduct counseling sessions, provide treatment, or otherwise administer professional help to someone in need. Licensed professionals typically have Master's or Doctorate level degrees, have gone through years of practicum and supervised experience, and maintain a professional licensure.   The CMHG© certification allows you to claim knowledge about mental health foundations and to provide initial support to those who you interact with, but this training then also teaches you how and when to refer someone to a licensed and specialty-trained professional for ongoing treatment.

After completing the training course you will be eligible to take the CMHG© certification exam.

1. The exam is online and asks 100 questions covering the training course material.

2. You must pass with a 90% score or better to earn the certification.

3. You will have access to the exam for up to 30 days, and will have 2 attempts to pass the exam. If not passed the first time, we require a 72-hour waiting period offer and a 1-on-1 tutoring session to help you be successful on the 2nd attempt and in your role as a CMHG©.

The CMHG© program is a certification rather than a license, and so it is recognized everywhere. Different types of training documentation and privileges are defined here:

1. Certificate of training -- this is a certificate/document provided when someone completes a training class which simply shows the training was attended or completed.  You can earn a certificate of training by completing the wellness programs specialist training course but not taking the exam. This does not enable you to use the credentials or claim yourself as a CMHA©.

2. Certification -- credentials and designation which is earned by completing a training program and passing a proficiency and knowledge examination. The provider/host of a certification program must be a subject matter expert who is qualified to teach and test the training content provided. Center of Training qualifies as a provider of certification in mental health and wellness programs. Read our "About Us" page here.

3. License -- a government-issued (typically) right to provide professional services within a particular location (state, etc.). The CMHG© is not a license, and does not train anyone to provide professional services like counseling, etc.

Costs & fees below are per person. We do offer group discounts for 5 or more enrollees from the same organization. Email us at [email protected] for more information.

Course/Exam:

- Training Course (Certified Mental Health Guide©) enrollment tuition:  $195/person
- CMHG© Certification Exam: $100/person
- Training Course & Certification Exam Bundle: $250/person

Renewal/Continuing Education (CE):

- Annual CMHG© Certification Renewal:  $50
- Annual 1 CE Course:  $50

Once you pass the exam and graduate from the CMHG© program you may use the CMHG designation credentials as long as you remain active. The following are required to retain active status as a CMHG©:

1. Annual renewal on your graduation anniversary date.

2. One (1) hour of CE (continuing education) training provided by Center of Training each year.  Every CMHG© will take the same CE classes for the purpose of standardization and cumulative learning - we want the CMHG© certification to be held at a very high standard so that anyone seeing you have earned this CMHG© designation knows that you have gained extensive knowledge and are continuing to learn and stay current on wellness program topics.

Please note that the CMHG© certification belongs to the individual and not to any employing organization.

The Mental Health Ally© program is the foundation of our training series. This introductory course focuses on essential skills for listening and providing support to individuals facing mental health challenges, life stress, or crises. Participants will learn how to offer empathy and assistance to help others navigate difficult phases or situations. This training is for anyone, in any situation, who may interact with another person who needs to have an ally and a listener as they go through life challenges. 

Examples: Friends and family, group leaders, emergency responders, executives and supervisors, church staff, student peers, chaplains, physicians & nurses, mental health facility staff, crisis line call-takers, dispatchers, teachers/principals, attorneys, bartenders, hair stylists, etc. 

This training course is designed to help you feel prepared and ready to help when someone comes to you mentioning their own personal mental health or life challenges and struggles. These conversations can be uncomfortable, and often we don't know quite how to handle them when someone seems to be in crisis or distress, or is struggling in general with daily life. This training will help prepare you to respond, listen, and show support.

You will learn about basic mental health challenges & obstacles, causes, prevention, and treatment resources, as well as crisis/suicide prevention & intervention information. You will be provided thorough but brief information on many mental health disorders and illnesses, learn how to be a good listener and discover ways to show support and encouragement without overstepping boundaries.

1. Complete the Mental Health Ally© training course within a 120-day period.

2. Take and pass a quiz to show your learning level of the course content.

3. Receive a Certificate of Training Completion for your records.

When you enroll in the Mental Health Ally© training course:

1. Access to the training course for 120 days. The course is 100% online, on a gradual release schedule over a 30-day period, and then once all the content is available, you may review it at your own pace within the timeframe.

2. Support & assistance with any questions or clarification needed throughout the training course.

3. PDF downloadable workbook which is designed to become your long-term reference manual so you always have the training content and information at your fingertips. You may also order a printed & bound workbook as an option.

After passing the Mental Health Ally© quiz:

Keep your training certificate handy or hang it on your wall, to show that you care enough to make the effort to become more educated and knowledgeable about mental health challenges. Then, just keep your eyes open and be a good listener, and you will find opportunities to show support to others where you may not have recognized them before.

NOTE: This course does not license you, nor prepare you, nor entitle you to conduct counseling sessions, provide treatment, or otherwise administer professional help to someone in need. Licensed professionals typically have Master's or Doctorate level degrees, have gone through years of practicum and supervised experience, and maintain a professional licensure.   The MHA course teaches knowledge about mental health foundations and how to provide initial support to those who you interact with, but this training then also teaches you how and when to refer someone to a licensed and specialty-trained professional for ongoing treatment. Do not attempt to take the place of a licensed professional counselor when helping others.

Costs & fees below are per person. We do offer group discounts for 5 or more enrollees from the same organization. Email us at [email protected] for more information.

Course/Quiz:

- Training Course (Mental Health Ally©) enrollment tuition:  $95/person