Educator & advocate

We all have Mental Health

Mental Health Training Connection helps schools, workplaces, and community groups build the skills to notice when someone is struggling and the confidence to help.

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The personal journey behind the mission

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After years working in human service, Karen experienced an unimaginable loss. She has since leveraged her lived experience and advocacy into a mission: making quality mental health training accessible to the organizations and communities that need it. Mental Health Training Connection grew out of that work—a way to bring evidence-based programs to more classrooms, workplaces, and community spaces across the region.

Read Karen’s story

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Catalyst

Leadership

Meet Karen

Karen Carreira is a mental health educator, certified trainer, and suicide prevention advocate. She has trained thousands of educators, employees, and community members in evidence-based programs and in 2025, was recognized nationally for certifying the most Mental Health First Aiders in Massachusetts.

A woman with shoulder-length curly dark hair, wearing a black shirt, smiling, seated with her arms crossed on a dark surface against a gray background.
An empty classroom with a wooden desk and chair, books and notebooks on the desk, a backpack hanging on the chair, a bookshelf filled with books, and a blackboard on the wall in the background. Large windows let in natural light.
Empty office space with rows of black chairs, teal cubicle partitions, large windows with blinds, and a cityscape view outside.

Karen Carreira

Founder, trainer

Certified instructor in Mental Health First Aid (Youth, Adult, and Teen), QPR, and AFSP’s Talk Saves Lives. Board Chair of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Massachusetts chapter and an Executive Committee member of the Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention.

Journey

From the classroom to the community

Karen’s path spans direct education, training delivery, and statewide advocacy. Each step built the foundation for Mental Health Training Connection.

Earned MA in music therapy and psychology and LMHC licensure, beginning practice in community mental health settings and inpatient behavioral health facilities.

1995

Connection made to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Massachusetts Chapter, adding suicide prevention advocacy and education to her work.

2018

A woman with curly brown hair sitting on a dark gray background, smiling and looking at the camera, wearing a black shirt.

Founding team member of a state-of-the-art post-secondary educational facility linking music and music therapy principles to social and vocational skill development for young adults with developmental and cognitive disabilities.

2001

FEMA-funded Covid crisis counseling work with Mass Support.

2020

Suicide prevention, UMatter training coordinator for the Center for Health and Learning in Vermont. Completed mental health first aid certification and added QPR certifications to expand suicide prevention training offerings.

2021

Recognized with the Leadership in Suicide Prevention Award from the Massachusetts State Coalition for Suicide Prevention.

2024

Recognized as the Top Mental Health First Aid Instructor in Massachusetts by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

2025

Certifications and recognition

Recognized, evidence-based programs in mental health education and suicide prevention.

Certified Instructor, Youth, Adult & Teen Mental Health First Aid (National Council for Mental Wellbeing)

Certified Instructor, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer)

Board Chair, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention—Massachusetts

Top Mental Health First Aid Instructor in Massachusetts, 2025

Presenter, AFSP Talk Saves Lives, It’s Real, and More Than Sad

Executive Committee, Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention

  • Nicole M. Sacco, PsyD, LMHC—Counseling Center Director, Elms College

    “

    Not only is Karen incredibly knowledgeable about Mental Health First Aid, she facilitated the trainings in such a way that staff felt comfortable engaging with otherwise very heavy material. I would recommend her without any reservations.

    ”

  • ELIZABETH B.

    “

    I was able to rekindle certain relationships with others from Jessica’s teachings.

    ”

  • SARAH P.

    “

    My confidence in the workplace has gotten so much better!

    ”

  • VICTORIA G.

    “

    I let anxiety take over my life for too long. Now I have the strength to control my emotions.

    ”

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