An Assessment of the Utility of the Youth Mental Health First Aid Training: Effectiveness, Satisfaction, and Universality

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training: Impact on the Ability to Recognize and Support Youth Needs

Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) trains individuals who regularly interact with youth to identify youth experiencing mental health challenges. Several studies demonstrate positive training impacts, but few assess whether the training equally impacts participants of different demographic and professional backgrounds or those who participate in different training modalities. Using a pre-post follow-up design with a comparison group, this study examined changes in participants' confidence in their ability to recognize and support youth mental health needs 1 to 2 months after training. Data were collected over two years (2021-2023) from training participants (n = 480) and comparable non-participants (n = 51). The authors examined whether changes in confidence varied by participant race/ethnicity, professional role in the education or mental health fields, and training modality (online versus hybrid). Training participants' confidence in supporting youth mental health increased significantly compared to non-participants. Although the training was effective for all participants, those with less mental health experience benefited more, consistent with previous research. While both in-person and hybrid training were effective, in-person training participants reported slightly higher confidence scores than virtual at follow-up. Study findings suggest that educational and social service organizations should offer this training to their staff and community members who interact with youth, prioritizing participants with less prior mental health training and delivering training through an in-person training modality when possible. However, additional research is needed to explore how aspects of in-person training, such as trainer characteristics and group dynamics, impact outcomes.

Evaluating Mental Health First Aid for Illinois Agricultural Communities

Introduction. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) was created to teach individuals how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Programs like this may be essential for agricultural communities where suicide rates have increased, and mental health stigma has been a barrier to this population. This study evaluated how effective MHFA and Youth MHFA were for participants from agricultural communities. Methods. Participants completed the MHFA (N = 38) and Youth MHFA (N = 66) programs in 2021-2022, and Extension educators offered both programs as a part of outreach efforts within agricultural contexts. Participants completed pre-, post-, and post-only evaluations as standardized by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Results. After completing the MHFA and Youth MHFA training, participants increased their knowledge, confidence, and skills in various mental health topics. This includes early indicators of mental health challenges, the ability to have supportive conversations, and how to provide resources to others. For example, most participants felt they became more knowledgeable about MHFA (69%) and the ability to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use challenges (65%). Conclusion. This research has implications for supporting agricultural workers through additional mental health training, managing farm stress, and understanding mental health stigma within this community.

Implementation and evaluation of a juvenile mental health training for law enforcement in a medium-sized jurisdiction

The need for specialized training programs that are focused on youth mental health needs, awareness of community-based services, and de-escalation skills is growing across law enforcement agencies due to calls for service that involve youth in mental health crisis. The current study evaluates a juvenile mental health training for law enforcement that was developed based on agency needs. The training was completed by 159 officers and a pre-/post-test design was used. Findings suggest that officers were satisfied with the training and improvements were seen across several training constructs (confidence, preparedness, stigma, resource awareness, and de-escalation skills). Satisfaction with the training predicted change in confidence and preparedness. Recommendations for future research and the implementation of juvenile mental health trainings are discussed.

Mental health first aid USA implementation: Trainee reported quality and impact of training

This study investigated the association of training implementation factors (Quality, Impact, Usefulness) with Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)-targeted outcomes (e.g., increased knowledge, confidence helping someone). Trainees who completed MHFA USA training in 2016 (N = 1003) were surveyed post training about its influence on their thoughts and behaviors, and about implementation factors. Some trainees completed 3- and 6-month follow-ups (N = 430, N = 276, respectively). Training Quality, Impact and Usefulness were rated highly. Differences in Quality and Impact across demographic groups were found; trainees from racially and ethnically marginalized backgrounds, and trainees with lower education levels, reported greater effect. Quality and Impact predicted positive changes in MHFA-targeted constructs such as self-efficacy, stigma and trainee perceived positive effect of MHFA strategies for those in crisis. Impact predicted positive change in mental health knowledge; this association strengthened over time. Results provide information about acceptability and perceived Impact of MHFA USA training and lead to recommendations for future evaluation and implementation.

Youth Mental Health First Aid: Examining the Influence of Pre-Existing Attitudes and Knowledge on Training Effectiveness

Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is a gatekeeper training designed to assist professionals in their identification and response to youth mental illness. Despite widespread implementation, few studies have examined how individual-level trainee characteristics may impact the effectiveness of this training. In this study, we examined how pre-existing knowledge and attitudes about youth mental illness (measured prior to participation in the program) influenced training outcomes. We used a sample of 987 child-serving professionals who completed the YMHFA training program to identify demographic and work-related factors that predicted pre-existing attitudes and knowledge. The sample was then divided into two groups based on pre-existing attitudes and knowledge. We examined training effectiveness across four constructs: knowledge, confidence, intentions to intervene, and stigma. Findings indicate that gender and work-related characteristics were associated with pre-existing knowledge and attitudes about youth mental illness. The magnitude of training effectiveness varied across pre-existing attitudes and knowledge. Those participants with above average attitudes and knowledge benefited little from the program, suggesting that universal implementation of YMHFA may not be an efficient use of resources. Suggestions for a tiered implementation plan that prioritizes professionals most in need of the training are discussed.

A Systematic Review of Youth and Teen Mental Health First Aid: Improving Adolescent Mental Health

PURPOSE

Adolescent mental illness often goes undetected. Youth and teen Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) are variations of adult MHFA that aims to help adults and adolescents recognize the signs and provide help where appropriate. We conducted a systematic review to summarize the current evidence for youth and teen MHFA, providing direction for future training and research.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed on September 12, 2020 on PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, ERIC, and Cochrane using keywords related to teen or youth MHFA, adolescents, and mental health. A narrative synthesis was then carried out.

RESULTS

Of the 695 articles identified, 14 studies were included. All studies were from the U.S. and Australia. All studies demonstrated significant improvements in knowledge, recognition, stigmatizing attitudes, confidence, helping intentions, and helping behavior in both adult and youth participants. Improvement in knowledge and confidence was most reported, and improvement in helping behavior was the least reported. There is encouraging evidence of long-term benefits after the training.

CONCLUSIONS

More studies need to be conducted in non-Western countries, high-risk populations, and different professional settings. Future interventions could also consider different modes of learning, longer-term follow-up, and the measurement of outcomes that evaluate the quality of helping behavior.

Lessons learnt from the field: a qualitative evaluation of adolescent experiences of a universal mental health education program

teen Mental Health First Aid (teenMHFA) is a school-based mental health program that trains adolescents to support peers who are experiencing mental health problems or crises. The program has been evaluated for adolescents aged 15-18 years as part of a randomized controlled trial, however qualitative feedback from students on their perceptions of the program is yet to be explored. The current study describes the perspectives of students who took part in the trial. Feedback on the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the program was provided by 979 Year 10 students (M = 15.82 years, female = 43.94%, English as a first language = 72.77%) at four government funded public schools in Melbourne, Australia via online surveys. A content and thematic analysis was performed on the data using a six-step process. Students generally found the program relevant and they connected with the visual material, personal stories and interactive activities. Suggestions for improvements included encouraging active student participation in classroom discussion and providing opportunities to practice skills. School-based mental health education can benefit from input from stakeholder perspectives, particularly when designing mental health content for delivery by external trainers.