Mental Health First Aid is a public health program given in the form of an interactive 8-hour course that presents an overview of mental illness and substance use disorders in the United States and introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their impact, and gives an overview of common treatments. Those who take the course learn a five-step action plan encompassing the skills, resources and knowledge to help an individual in crisis connect with appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help care. Participants earn a Mental Health First Aid certificate upon successful completion of the course. Our goal is to have this training offered several times a year in the San Ramon Valley and to create a community-wide dialogue around mental health that will help remove barriers to treatment for those facing mental health challenges.