Mental health first aid

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a training program that teaches individuals how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The program aims to provide the skills needed to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.

Overview

MHFA was developed in 2001 in Australia by Betty Kitchener and Anthony Jorm. Since its inception, it has spread globally, with licensed programs in numerous countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and others. The training is often compared to traditional first aid or CPR, focusing on mental health rather than physical health emergencies.

Training

The MHFA course is typically delivered in an 8-hour session or over several shorter sessions. It covers a range of topics, including:

• Understanding common mental health problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders.
• The 5-step action plan to help someone developing a mental health problem or in crisis, which includes assessing risk, listening non-judgmentally, giving reassurance and information, encouraging appropriate professional help, and encouraging self-help strategies.

Objectives

The primary objectives of MHFA training are to:

• Increase awareness and understanding of mental health issues and treatments
• Build confidence in helping individuals experiencing a mental health crisis
• Decrease stigma related to mental illnesses

Effectiveness

Research on MHFA suggests that it increases knowledge regarding mental health, decreases negative attitudes towards mental health conditions, and increases supportive behaviors towards individuals experiencing mental health problems. However, the effectiveness can vary based on the population receiving the training and the specific outcomes being measured.

Criticism

While MHFA has been widely adopted and praised for its role in promoting mental health literacy, some critics argue that more evidence is needed to support its effectiveness in changing behavior and improving mental health outcomes. Concerns have also been raised about the program's ability to adequately prepare individuals to handle complex mental health crises without professional training.

See Also

• Mental health
• First aid
• Crisis intervention