scholarly journals Mental Health First aid Training: Review of Evaluation Studies

2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Betty A. Kitchener ◽  
Anthony F. Jorm

Objective: To review studies evaluating mental health first aid (MHFA) training. Method: Review of three published trials: one uncontrolled with members of the public in a city, one randomized controlled efficacy trial in a workplace setting and one cluster randomized effectiveness trial with the public in a rural area. Results: Most mental health first aiders tend to be middle-aged women whose work involves people contact. All trials found the following statistically significant benefits 5– 6months post-training: improved concordance with health professionals about treatments, improved helping behaviour, greater confidence in providing help to others and decreased social distance from people with mental disorders. Only one trial evaluated the mental health benefits to participants and this found positive effects. Conclusions: Although MHFA training has been found to change knowledge, attitudes and helping behaviours, and even benefit the mental health of participants, there has not yet been an evaluation of the effects on those who are the recipients of the first aid.

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony F Jorm ◽  
Betty A Kitchener ◽  
Michael G Sawyer ◽  
Helen Scales ◽  
Stefan Cvetkovski

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn J. Chalmers ◽  
Anthony F. Jorm ◽  
Claire M. Kelly ◽  
Nicola J. Reavley ◽  
Kathy S. Bond ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Trauma has a major impact on the mental health and wellbeing of people globally. Friends, family and members of the public are often well positioned to provide initial assistance if someone is experiencing extreme distress following a potentially traumatic event. Expert consensus guidelines for high income, Western countries on how to do this were published in 2008. The aim of the current study was to re-develop these guidelines to ensure they are current and reflect best practice. Methods The Delphi consensus method was used to determine which helping statements should be included in the guidelines. Helping statements were derived from a systematic search of literature that considered how a member of the public could help someone experiencing extreme distress following a potentially traumatic event. Two expert panels, comprising 28 mental health professionals with expertise in managing trauma and 26 consumer advocates, rated each statement. Statements were accepted for inclusion in the guidelines if they were endorsed by at least 80% of each panel. Results Out of 183 statements, 103 were endorsed as appropriate helping actions in providing assistance to someone experiencing extreme distress following a potentially traumatic event. These statements were used to form the re-developed guidelines. Conclusion This study has resulted in a more comprehensive set of guidelines than the original version, with the endorsement of 103 helping actions, compared to 65 previously. The updated guidelines better represent the complexities of experiencing trauma and the considered approach required when providing first aid after a potentially traumatic event. The additional guidance on providing initial assistance, talking about the trauma, offering short-term assistance and seeking appropriate professional help reflects current knowledge. A notable addition is the inclusion of content on how a first aider can assist after a disclosure of abuse. The guidelines are available to the public and will inform future updates of Mental Health First Aid training courses.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shurong Lu ◽  
Yanling He ◽  
Kendall Searle ◽  
Pilvikki Absetz ◽  
Brian Oldenburg ◽  
...  

BJPsych Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 427-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony F. Jorm ◽  
Anna M. Ross

BackgroundExpert-consensus guidelines have been developed for how members of the public should assist a person with a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis.AimsThis review aimed to examine the range of guidelines that have been developed and how these have been implemented in practice.MethodA narrative review was carried out based on a systematic search for literature on the development or implementation of the guidelines.ResultsThe Delphi method has been used to develop a wide range of guidelines for English-speaking countries, Asian countries and a number of other cultural groups. The primary implementation has been through informing the content of training courses.ConclusionFurther work is needed on guidelines for low- and middle-income countries.Declaration of interestA.F.J. is an unpaid member of the Board of Mental Health First Aid International (trading as Mental Health First Aid Australia), which is a not-for-profit organisation.


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