Participants in MHFA learn a structured 5-step Action Plan, known as ALGEE, which includes assessing for risk, listening nonjudgmentally, providing reassurance and information, encouraging professional help, and promoting self-help and other support strategies. With over 3 million individuals trained in the U.S., MHFA has empowered countless individuals to recognize and address mental health and substance use issues.​Peer-reviewed studies have shown that MHFA-trained individuals exhibit increased knowledge and confidence in assisting individuals in distress. The updated MHFA curriculum includes definitions and guidance on trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), emphasizing early intervention and support following traumatic events like those related to COVID-19. Additionally, the curriculum emphasizes the importance of self-care in resilience and recovery, assisting First Aiders in developing personalized self-care action plans to navigate traumas and stressors effectively.