Mental health first aid by Australian tertiary staff: Application rates, modes, content, and outcomes

The Effectiveness of Online Mental Health First Aid Training in Community Rugby: A Mixed-Methods Approach

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training exists to improve supportive behaviours towards peers, increase mental health literacy, and reduce stigma. Community sport clubs have potential to successfully deliver mental health programs. This study investigated the effectiveness of online MHFA training undertaken by members of the rugby community and evaluated the feasibility and usefulness of the online delivery mode and users' engagement with it. A mixed-methods approach was used to provide depth of understanding through qualitative analysis, combined with quantitative outcomes. Online surveys examining participants' knowledge and perceptions were administered pre- and post-MHFA training. Significant improvements (p < 0.05) across all assessed domains were observed post- compared to pre-MHFA training. A large effect size was identified in relation to advice giving and sign and symptom identification. A moderate effect size pre- to post-improvement was identified for users' perceptions of therapy's effectiveness, the ability of people with severe mental health conditions to recover, and benefit of a healthcare professional. Participants endorsed the MHFA program to improve mental health literacy, advance non-technical skills, and improve confidence. MHFA training can increase the awareness and knowledge of mental health issues in key individuals in community sport clubs and enable them to aid people with mental health concerns. Online MHFA training is associated with improved mental health literacy and may be a suitable and economically sustainable model for community sport.

Pharmacists and Mental Health First Aid training: A comparative analysis of confidence, mental health assistance behaviours and perceived barriers

BACKGROUND

Pharmacists are aptly positioned to provide first aid-level assistance to patients experiencing a mental health problem or crisis, yet often lack confidence or perceive barriers to intervention. One potential solution is Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training-an evidence-based psycho-educational programme. This study evaluates MHFA training within pharmacy by (1) assessing pharmacists' perceptions of the prevalence of patients experiencing a mental health-related problem or crisis, (2) investigating whether MHFA is associated with increased confidence, intervention and assistance quality and (3) examining perceived intervention barriers.

METHODS

Pharmacists working in Australia were surveyed. The survey included validated measures and research objectives were assessed using descriptives and ANOVAs.

RESULTS

One hundred sixty-one pharmacists were included; 90 MHFA trained and 71 untrained. Overall, 86% of reported encountering at least one patient perceived to be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis in the last year. MHFA trained pharmacists reported being more confident, with notable differences in their confidence to recognize signs, approach and ask someone about suicide. Pharmacists did not intervene ~25% of the time in which a problem/ crisis was identified. When they did intervene, results suggest the assistance was similar in content. Intervention barriers were reported to impede MHFA trained pharmacists significantly less than untrained pharmacists.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest pharmacists frequently encounter patients experiencing a mental health problem or crisis and that MHFA training may support pharmacists in helping these patients. Future research can utilize experimental methods to provide causal evidence as to the utility of MHFA training for pharmacists and patients.

Professor Hippo-on-Campus: Developing and evaluating an educational intervention to build mental health literacy among university faculty and staff

Objective: The development and evaluation of the Professor Hippo-on-Campus Student Mental Health Education Program, a mental health literacy intervention for post-secondary faculty and staff, is described. It includes 3-hour virtual, asynchronous e-modules and an optional 2-hour, synchronous workshop. Participants: All faculty and staff in a single university were invited to participate (February 2020-January 2021). Methods: Pre-and post-module and post-workshop surveys were conducted, assessing knowledge, attitudes, stigma, behavioral intentions, and confidence. Paired t-tests and regressions assessed change. Satisfaction was assessed through closed and open-ended questions, analyzed descriptively and through qualitative content analysis. Results: Four hundred and fifty staff and faculty completed the pre-survey, 262 completed the post-survey, and 122 completed a workshop survey. Participation resulted in improvements in knowledge, attitudes, stigma, and confidence with high levels of satisfaction. Conclusion: The program provides tailored student mental health training to post-secondary staff and faculty, which appears to increase their mental health literacy.

Intentions and confidence as predictors of mental health first aid: Findings from a longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Mental health first aid (MHFA) training can improve confidence and intention to help a person with a mental health problem, but there is limited research exploring whether this results in better support provided. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between a person's confidence and intention to help with the quality of support provided.

METHODS

Australian public servants who had received MHFA training or Physical First Aid training (n = 152) completed questionnaires exploring attitudes and skills for assisting someone at work with a mental health problem. Data on confidence and intention to help was used to predict quality of support provided at 1 and 2-year follow-up. Data were analysed using linear and logistic regression.

RESULTS

Intention to help predicted the quality of support for assisting someone at work at follow-up (rs=0.15-0.20, p < .0.05), while confidence in providing help only predicted quality of support 1-year later (rs = 0.42, p = .032). These relationships were significantly attenuated after controlling for personal stigma, desire for social distance, gender, age, language spoken at home, level of education and whether participant managed staff. Furthermore, there were some large associations between intentions to perform specific first aid actions and carrying out the same action at follow-up such as for encouraging professional help at 2-year follow-up (OR=8.20, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Findings indicate that intended actions to support a person with a mental health problem can predict the quality of support provided up to 2 years later. Future research should clarify whether this support benefits the mental health of recipients.