Mental health first aid responses of the public: results from an Australian national survey

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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Mental Health First aid Training: Review of Evaluation Studies

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1080/j.1440-1614.2006.01735.x ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. 6-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 128

Author(s):

Betty A. Kitchener ◽

Anthony F. Jorm

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Evaluation Studies ◽

First Aid ◽

Mental Health First Aid ◽

The Public ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Helping Behaviours ◽

First Aid Training ◽

Helping Behaviour ◽

Cluster Randomized

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.

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Mental Health First Aid Training With Members of the Public in a Rural Area

http://isrctn.org/> ◽

10.1186/isrctn53887541 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Anthony Jorm

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Rural Area ◽

First Aid ◽

Mental Health First Aid ◽

The Public ◽

First Aid Training

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Understanding Mental Health First Aid for Psychosis

The First Episode of Psychosis ◽

10.1093/med-psych/9780190920685.003.0015 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 173-188

Author(s):

Beth Broussard ◽

Michael T. Compton

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

First Aid ◽

Mental Health First Aid ◽

Professional Help ◽

The Public

This last chapter includes advice on how to provide mental health first aid to someone who may be experiencing an episode of psychosis. These guidelines were developed by and reprinted here with permission from Mental Health First Aid Australia. These guidelines are designed to help members of the public to provide first aid to someone who may be experiencing psychosis. The role of the first aider is to assist the person until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves. These guidelines are a general set of recommendations. Each individual is unique, and it is important to tailor your support to that person’s needs. So, these recommendations may not be appropriate for every person.

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Development of mental health first aid guidelines on how a member of the public can support a person affected by a traumatic event: a Delphi study

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/1471-244x-10-49 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 47

Author(s):

Claire M Kelly ◽

Anthony F Jorm ◽

Betty A Kitchener

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Delphi Study ◽

Traumatic Event ◽

First Aid ◽

Mental Health First Aid ◽

The Public

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Development of Chinese mental health first aid guidelines for problem drinking: a Delphi expert consensus study

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-021-03266-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Wenjing Li ◽

Anthony F. Jorm ◽

Yan Wang ◽

Shurong Lu ◽

Yanling He ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Lived Experience ◽

English Language ◽

Problem Drinking ◽

Chinese Language ◽

First Aid ◽

Mental Health First Aid ◽

The Public ◽

Language Problem

Abstract Background Alcohol use disorders have become the second leading cause of death for mental and substance use disorders in China. However, with early diagnosis and timely treatment, the burden can be mitigated. Family and friends of a person with alcohol use problems are well placed to recognize the signs, encourage professional help-seeking and help the person until treatment is received. We aimed to use the Delphi consensus methodology to develop guidelines about how members of the public can provide this “mental health first aid” to someone with problem drinking in China. Methods A Chinese-language questionnaire was developed, comprising statements that were endorsed for inclusion in the English-language problem drinking first aid guidelines for high-income countries. Participants were also encouraged to suggest new statements. These statements were evaluated by two Chinese expert panels – a professional panel and a lived experience panel – on how important they believed each statement was for members of the public providing mental health first aid to a person with problem drinking in China. Three survey rounds were conducted. To be included in the final guidelines, statements had to receive a “very important” or “important” rating from at least 80% of participants from each of the panels. Results The majority of statements were rated in the first survey round by 30 mental health professionals and 25 lived experience panel members. One hundred and eighty-one statements met the inclusion criteria and were used to form the guidelines. Compared to the English-language guidelines, the importance of family involvement and mutual support were highlighted by both Chinese expert panels, while a number of statements relating to low-risk drinking were rejected by the lived experience panel. Conclusions The Chinese-language problem drinking first aid guidelines cover a variety of first aid strategies that members of the public can use when providing initial help to a person with problem drinking, such as how to communicate with the person and what to do if the person is intoxicated. These guidelines will be used as a stand-alone document will also inform the content of Mental Health First Aid training in China.

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Offering mental health first aid to a person after a potentially traumatic event: a Delphi study to redevelop the 2008 guidelines

BMC Psychology ◽

10.1186/s40359-020-00473-7 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kathryn J. Chalmers ◽

Anthony F. Jorm ◽

Claire M. Kelly ◽

Nicola J. Reavley ◽

Kathy S. Bond ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Delphi Study ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Traumatic Event ◽

First Aid ◽

Consensus Method ◽

Mental Health First Aid ◽

The Public ◽

First Aid Training

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.

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