Evaluation of Mental Health First Aid USA Using the Mental Health Beliefs and Literacy Scale

Purpose: This study assessed the impact of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) in the United States with a theoretically based and psychometrically sound measure, the Mental Health Beliefs and Literacy Scale (MBLS). Design: Online MBLS surveys were administered pre-MHFA training, 3-weeks post-training, and 6-months posttraining. Setting: Mental Health First Aid trainings carried out across the United States. Participants: Six hundred sixty-two trainees were contacted, and 273 (41%) completed the presurvey. Of those, 63% filled out the postsurvey and 35% completed the 6-month survey. Seventy-six individuals completed all 3 surveys. Intervention: Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour education program to help the general public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance abuse; to date, almost 1 million people have been trained. Measure: The MLBS, based on the Unified Theory of Behavior Change framework, consists of attitudinal, social-, and skill-based constructs affecting the intention to perform and achievement of MHFA actions and reports of their actual completion. Analysis: Change across time points was assessed using multivariate repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: Significant short- and longer term changes were found in internally consistent constructs tapping positive beliefs about MHFA actions, the confidence and intention to perform them as well as mental health literacy. Conclusion: The MBLS documented strong positive effects of MHFA training that were greater in individuals without prior mental health training, the intended targets of MHFA efforts.

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Effectiveness of Mental Health First Aid: a meta-analysis

Mental Health Review Journal ◽

10.1108/mhrj-05-2019-0016 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (4) ◽

pp. 245-261 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Amy K. Maslowski ◽

Rick A. LaCaille ◽

Lara J. LaCaille ◽

Catherine M. Reich ◽

Jill Klingner

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Publishing Research ◽

First Aid ◽

Mental Health First Aid ◽

Content Type ◽

Quantitative Evidence ◽

Positive Effects ◽

The People ◽

The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper, a meta-analysis and systematic review of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), is to focus on studies that reported trainees’ mental health literacy, attitudes and helping-related behaviors, as well as the impact of the program for the people who came into contact with trainees (i.e. recipients). Design/methodology/approach A systematic search included several online databases of published studies, dissertations or theses, and journals commonly publishing research in this area. Studies were randomized or non-randomized control trials using an intervention based upon the adult or youth MHFA curriculum. Findings Of the 8,257 initial articles, 16 met inclusion criteria. Small-to-moderate effect sizes (Hedges’ g=0.18–0.53) were found for the primary outcomes for the trainees with effects appearing to be maintained at follow-up. Study quality was inversely associated with effect size. No evidence of investigator allegiance was detected. Few studies examined the effects for those who received aid from a MHFA trainee. Preliminary quantitative evidence appeared lacking (Hedges’ g=−0.04 to 0.12); furthermore, a qualitative review found limited positive effects. Research limitations/implications MHFA trainees appear to benefit from MHFA; however, objective behavioral changes are in need of greater emphasis. Additionally, considerably greater attention and effort in testing effects on distressed recipients is needed with future empirical investigations. Originality/value This is the first known review that includes preliminary findings on the effects of MHFA on the distressed recipients of the aid. It is anticipated that this will prompt further investigation into the impact of MHFA.

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An Analysis of the Impact of Sexual Orientation on Longitudinal Depression

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.3314 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 900-900

Author(s):

Anna Thompson ◽

Britney Wardecker

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

United States ◽

Sexual Orientation ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Well Being ◽

The United States ◽

Repeated Measures Anova ◽

The Impact ◽

Health And Well Being ◽

Over Time

Abstract Research suggests that mental health and well-being improve as we age, and this trend is dubbed “the paradox of aging” (Charles & Carstensen, 2010). However, little is known about whether this trend happens for individuals who may experience lifelong disadvantage, such as those who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. We used data from the Midlife in the United States Study (MIDUS) to examine lesbian/gay, bisexual, and heterosexual adults’ changes in depression from 1995 to 2014. Participants identified as lesbian/gay (n = 46), bisexual (n = 37), and heterosexual (n = 3030) and 45.1% identified as female. Participants’ ages ranged from 20-74 years (M = 45.61, SD = 11.41) in 1995 and 39-93 years (M = 63.64, SD = 11.35) in 2014. We analyzed our data using a repeated measures ANOVA and our results indicate that depression decreased on average from 1995 to 2014 for heterosexual [Wilk’s Lamda = .996, F (1, 3029) = 12.23, p < .001] and lesbian/gay adults [Wilk’s Lamda = .848, F (1, 45) = 8.08, p = .007]. However, bisexual adults did not experience this decrease in depression [Wilk’s Lamda = .990, F (1, 36) = 0.36, p = .550] and their depression remained relatively stable. Our results are consistent with previous studies that indicate bisexuals experience poorer mental health when compared to lesbian/gay and heterosexual adults (Bostwick, Hughes, & Everett, 2015). The current research highlights depression as a condition that may not decrease universally over time. We discuss implications for bisexuals’ health and well-being.

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Supplemental Material for Enhancing Mental Health Literacy in Rural America: Growth of Mental Health First Aid Program in Rural Communities in the United States From 2008–2016

Rural Mental Health ◽

10.1037/rmh0000088.supp ◽

2018 ◽

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

United States ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Rural Communities ◽

Mental Health Literacy ◽

The United States ◽

First Aid ◽

Mental Health First Aid ◽

Rural America

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Mental Health Beliefs Among Ghanaian Immigrants in the United States and Mental Health Systems in Ghana

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e619572013-001 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Gifty Ampadu

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

United States ◽

Health Systems ◽

Health Beliefs ◽

The United States ◽

Mental Health Systems ◽

Ghanaian Immigrants ◽

Mental Health Beliefs

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Enhancing mental health literacy in rural America: Growth of Mental Health First Aid program in rural communities in the United States from 2008–2016.

Rural Mental Health ◽

10.1037/rmh0000088 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 20-31 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Tramaine El-Amin ◽

Britta L. Anderson ◽

Jonathon P. Leider ◽

Jennifer Satorius ◽

Alana Knudson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

United States ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Rural Communities ◽

Mental Health Literacy ◽

The United States ◽

First Aid ◽

Mental Health First Aid ◽

Rural America

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Mental health first aid training for the Bhutanese refugee community in the United States

International Journal of Mental Health Systems ◽

10.1186/s13033-015-0012-z ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Parangkush Subedi ◽

Changwei Li ◽

Ashok Gurung ◽

Destani Bizune ◽

M Christina Dogbey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

United States ◽

The United States ◽

First Aid ◽

Mental Health First Aid ◽

Refugee Community ◽

First Aid Training ◽

Bhutanese Refugee

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Real-Time Mental Health Crisis Response in the United States to COVID-19

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000826 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jennifer D. Runkle ◽

Margaret M. Sugg ◽

Shrikanth Yadav ◽

Stella Harden ◽

Jaclyn Weiser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

United States ◽

Young People ◽

Real Time ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

The United States ◽

Crisis Response ◽

Suicidal Thoughts ◽

Health Crisis ◽

The Impact

Abstract. Background: Data are scarce on assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people. Aim: To examine changes in crisis text patterns in the United States during the pandemic compared to the prepandemic period. Method: Nonintrusive data from a national digital crisis texting platform were analyzed using an interrupted time series design. Poisson regression with repeated-measures examined help-seeking patterns for stress, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and other mental health concerns in the pandemic (March 13 to July 20, 2020) compared to the prepandemic period (March 13 to July 20, 2019). Results: An abrupt increase in national crisis response texts occurred during the pandemic for stress and anxiety, substance abuse, bereavement, isolation, and abuse compared to the prepandemic period. Similar trends of excess texts for isolation and abuse were reported among children (relative risk [RR]abuse: 1.16, CI: 1.03, 1.31; RRisolation: 1.15, CI: 1.09, 1.21) and adolescents (RRabuse: 1.17, CI: 1.11, 1.24; RRisolation: 1.08, CI: 1.05, 1.11), bereavement among Black (RR: 1.31, CI: 1.12, 1.54) and Hispanic (RR: 1.28, CI: 1.10, 1.49) texters, and isolation and bereavement in female (RRisolation: 1.09, CI: 1.06, 1.11; RRbereavement: 1.21, CI: 1.13, 1.28) or nonconforming youth (RRisolation: 1.19, CI: 1.08, 1.32; RRbereavement: 1.50, CI: 1.08, 2.09) texters. Conversely, the risks of reporting bullying, depression, relationship issues, and suicidal thoughts as reasons for texting were significantly lower during COVID-19. Limitations: Results may underestimate crisis support-seeking in some groups because demographic data were not captured on all texters. Conclusion: Findings illuminated the real-time crisis response of young people across the United States and can inform more responsive interventions to alleviate the mental health consequences brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Family Separation and the Impact of Digital Technology on the Mental Health of Refugee Families in the United States: Qualitative Study

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/14171 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (9) ◽

pp. e14171 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sayyed Fawad Ali Shah ◽

Julia Meredith Hess ◽

Jessica R Goodkind

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

United States ◽

Digital Technology ◽

Family Members ◽

The United States ◽

Theory Approach ◽

Financial Barriers ◽

Family Separation ◽

Ict Use ◽

The Impact

BackgroundConflicts around the world have resulted in a record high number of refugees. Family separation is a critical factor that impacts refugee mental health. Thus, it is important to explore refugees’ ability to maintain contact with family members across the globe and the ways in which they attempt to do so. It is increasingly common for refugees to use information and communication technologies (ICTs), which include mobile phones, the internet, and social media sites, such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Skype, and Viber, for these purposes.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore refugees’ perceptions of the impact of communication through ICTs on their mental health, the exercise of agency by refugees within the context of ICT use, especially their communication with their families, and logistical issues that affect their access to ICTs in the United States.MethodsWe used a constructivist grounded theory approach to analyze in-depth interviews of 290 adult refugee participants from different countries, who were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of a community-based mental health intervention.ResultsAnalyses showed that communication through ICTs had differing impacts on the mental health of refugee participants. ICTs, as channels of communication between separated families, were a major source of emotional and mental well-being for a large number of refugee participants. However, for some participants, the communication process with separated family members through digital technology was mentally and emotionally difficult. The participants also discussed ways in which they hide adversities from their families through selective use of different ICTs. Several participants noted logistical and financial barriers to communicating with their families through ICTs.ConclusionsThese findings are important in elucidating aspects of refugee agency and environmental constraints that need to be further explicated in theories related to ICT use as well as in providing insight for researchers and practitioners involved in efforts related to migration and mental health.

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“Here in the Bible Belt, It’s Predominantly Negative”: Sexual Identity Stigma in the American South, 50 Years After Stonewall

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.804064 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Joseph J. Frey ◽

William J. Hall ◽

Jeremy T. Goldbach ◽

Paul Lanier

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

United States ◽

Health Disparities ◽

Sexual Identity ◽

Minority Stress ◽

The United States ◽

Mental Health Disparities ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

United States South ◽

The Impact

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and pansexual (LGB+) individuals have disproportionate rates of mental illness. Minority stress and sexual identity stigma are posited as the primary social determinants of LGB+ mental health disparities. Discussions in the literature have questioned the impact of sexual identity stigma in a world increasingly accepting of sexual minorities. Additionally, the LGB+ population in the United States South is often overlooked in American research. This article details a qualitative study exploring experiences related to sexual identity stigma among adults who identify as LGB+ in the United States South. Semi-structured interviews with 16 individuals were analyzed using content analysis. Six thematic categories of stigma emerged from participants’ experiences: (a) navigating an LGB+ identity, (b) social acceptability of an LGB+ identity, (c) expectation of LGB+ stigma, (d) interpersonal discrimination and harassment, (e) structural stigma, and (f) relationship with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community. Findings suggest that sexual identity stigma remains a common experience among these Southern United States participants. Further, thematic categories and subcategories primarily aligned with extant theory with one exception: Intracommunity stigma, a form of stigma emanating from the LGBTQ community, emerged as a stigma type not currently accounted for in theoretical foundations underpinning mental health disparities in this population.

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