Mental Health First Aid Summit Breakouts A

MHFA2 - Enter the Mental Health First Aid 'Twilight Zone'

Sunday, April 26, 2026

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM MDT

Location: Bluebird 2G

Imagine stepping into a world where you feel you have lived these situations "over & over" - the "MHFA Twilight Zone." Be ready to laugh out loud as our Texas MHFA Team brings to life real challenges MHFA Instructors face. These situations can be frustrating and draining. Our team will bring to life these obstacles and provide practical solutions. From sassy participants, attendees trying to leave early, as well as maintaining fidelity in the classroom, this and SO MUCH MORE will be portrayed in a "fun and realistic" skit. Attendees will find themselves saying, "I have so been there!" repeatedly.

Learning Objectives:

Identify "real classroom" challenges Mental Health First Aid Instructors face.
Explore practical solutions for handling difficult situations.
Discuss options for improvement in their own classes.

Disclosure(s):

Amy Anderson: No financial relationships to disclose

Jondell Lafont-Garcia, Licensed Professional Counselor: No financial relationships to disclose

Denise Lucas, Licensed Professional Counselor: No financial relationships to disclose

Amy Sanders, MHFA Instructor, Certified Professional in Training Management: No financial relationships to disclose

Angela Bates: No financial relationships to disclose

Justin A. Verga, Firefighter/paramedic: No financial relationships to disclose

Presenter - MHFA Summit(s)

Amy Anderson

MHFA Grants Director/Coordinator/Training Specialist
Hill Country MHDDC
New Braunfels, Texas

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

Slides
Jondell Lafont-Garcia, Licensed Professional Counselor

HHSC MHFA Coordinator
Texas Health and Human Services
Pflugerville, Texas

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
Denise Lucas, Licensed Professional Counselor

Mental Health First Aid Outreach Worker
Helen Farabee Centers
Wichita Falls, Texas

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
Amy Sanders, MHFA Instructor, Certified Professional in Training Management

Director, Zero Suicide & MHFA
North Texas Behavioral Health Authority
Dallas, Texas

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
AB

Angela Bates

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose

Moderator - MHFA Summit(s)

Justin A. Verga, Firefighter/paramedic

Firefighter/Paramedic / National Trainer
City of Long Beach Fire Department/National Council for Mental wellbeing
Washington DC, District of Columbia

Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose