Mental Health First Aid
OverviewThe root of most stigmas is generally fear. The stigma surrounding mental illnesses in America is no different: fear of not understanding the problem, fear of doing or saying the "wrong" thing, and fear of not knowing what to do when someone needs help. Mental Health First Aid is a 12-hour training course designed to give members of the public key skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it makes people feel more comfortable managing a crisis situation and builds mental health literacy — helping the public identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness. History and Background Mental Health First Aid was created by Professor Tony Jorm, a respected mental health literacy professor, and Betty Kitchener, a nurse specializing in health education. The program is auspiced at the ORYGEN Research Center at the University of Melbourne, Australia. The National Council chose to help bring Mental Health First Aid to the U.S. due to the strong evidence supporting the program. Four detailed studies have been completed in Australia and nearly a dozen journal articles published on Mental Health First Aid’s impact on mental health literacy. One trial of 301 randomized participants found that those who trained in Mental Health First Aid have greater confidence in providing help to others, greater likelihood of advising people to seek professional help, improved concordance with health professionals about treatments, and decreased stigmatizing attitudes. Unexpectedly, the study also found that Mental Health First Aid improved the mental health of the participants themselves. Findings from the other studies have echoed these outcomes. About the ProgramThe goal of Mental Health First Aid is to increase mental health literacy. Mental Health First Aiders learn a 5-step process to assess a situation, select and implement appropriate interventions, and help the individual in crisis connect with appropriate care. Participants learn the risk factors and warning signs of specific illnesses such as anxiety, depression, psychosis and addiction; engage in experiential activities that build understanding of the impact of illness; and learn information about evidence-supported treatment programs. Mental Health First Aid Frequently Asked Questions Q: What is Mental Health First Aid?
Q: How many days does it take to complete the Mental Health First Aid program? A: The Mental Health First Aid program runs 12 hours. It was originally conducted as four 3-hour sessions, but can also be conducted over a two-day period.
Q: What do Mental Health First Aid training participants learn? A: The goal of Mental Health First Aid is to increase mental health literacy. Mental Health First Aiders learn a 5-step process that teaches them to assess a situation, select and implement appropriate interventions, and help the individual in crisis connect with appropriate care. Participants are also introduced to the risk factors and warning signs of specific illnesses such as anxiety, depression, psychosis and addiction; engage in experiential activities that build understanding of the impact of illness; and learn information about evidence-supported treatment programs.
Q: What types of crisis interventions are covered? A: Like CPR training helps a non-medical professional assist an individual following a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid training helps an individual who doesn’t have clinical training assist someone experiencing a mental health crisis, such as contemplating suicide. In both situations, the goal is to help support an individual until appropriate professional help arrives. Mental Health First Aiders learn a single strategy that includes assessing risk, respectfully listening to and supporting the individual in crisis, and identifying and contacting appropriate professional help. Trainees are taught how to apply this strategy in a variety of situations, such as helping someone through a panic attack or with an acute stress reaction, engaging with someone who may be suicidal, supporting a person experiencing psychosis and helping an individual who has overdosed. An important component of the Mental Health First Aid training is the opportunity to practice the intervention strategy rather than just learn about it. This simple experience can make it easier to actually apply the knowledge in a real-life situation.
Q: Where did Mental Health First Aid start? A: Mental Health First Aid was created by Professor Tony Jorm, a respected mental health literacy professor, and Betty Kitchener, a nurse specializing in health education. The program is auspiced at the ORYGEN Research Center at the University of Melbourne, Australia. (www.mhfa.com.au)
Q: Who is the target audience for Mental Health First Aid? A: Mental Health First Aid is targeted to a variety of audiences: friends and family of individuals with mental illness or addiction, professionals (such as police officers, human resource directors and primary care workers), school and college leadership, faith communities or anyone interested in learning more about mental illness and addiction. The training venues will also vary as Mental Health First Aid program sites reach out to Chambers of Commerce, professional associations, hospitals, nursing homes, Rotary Clubs, PTAs, social clubs and other groups who make up the fabric of a community.
Q: Is there evidence to support the effectiveness of the program? A: Yes, in fact, evidence is the very reason the National Council selected this particular program. So far in Australia, four detailed studies have been completed and nearly a dozen journal articles published on Mental Health First Aid’s impact on mental health literacy. One trial of 301 randomized participants found that those who trained in Mental Health First Aid have greater confidence in providing help to others, greater likelihood of advising people to seek professional help, improved concordance with health professionals about treatments, and decreased stigmatizing attitudes. Unexpectedly, the study also found that Mental Health First Aid improved the mental health of the participants themselves. Findings from the other studies have echoed these outcomes. For further evidence supporting the implementation of Mental Health First Aid, please see the Evaluation section of the Australian Mental Health First Aid website. http://www.mhfa.com.au/evaluation.shtml
Q: Has Mental Health First Aid been replicated in other countries? A: Yes. To date, it has been replicated in England, Scotland, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, and Singapore. |