Nurses' perspective about the Mental Health First Aid Training Programmes for adolescents in upper secondary schools: A focus group study

Perspectives of adult patients with mental health disorders on the relationship with nurses: a focus group study

BACKGROUND

The relationship between the nurse and the patient with mental health disorder is crucial to the recovery process. Thus, patients with mental health disorders should be active subjects in this relationship by having autonomy and self-determination.

METHODS

This study aimed to explore the perspectives of adult patients with mental health disorders on the relationship with nurses. A qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study was conducted in March 2023, using focus group meetings in an association to support patients with severe mental health disorders in the Northern region of Portugal. The study followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ). A total of 8 patients participated in the study. Two focus group meetings were conducted. The inductive method was used, and content analysis of the transcripts was performed. The QDA Miner Lite 4.0 and Microsoft Excel were used for content analysis.

RESULTS

Participants considered the relationship with nurses important for their recovery and expected nurses to provide support and help, being able to identify their needs, thus personalising their care. Attitudinal and communication aspects were also considered crucial for establishing a solid, trusting, and meaningful relationship.

CONCLUSION

According to the findings nursing care is expected to focus on the patient, his/her preferences, expectations, and the uniqueness of each individual. The results of this study may be useful for the reflection and improvement of nurses in their relational and communication skills and the driving force for nursing students' awareness of the perspective of the relationship with patients with mental health disorder and its relevance.

Nurses' promotion of Mental Health First Aid Training Programmes for upper secondary students: a modified Delphi approach

BACKGROUND

Mental Health First Aid Training Programmes can be carried out by nurses in schools. Adolescents have reported the importance of these interventions, the contents to be addressed, and intervention strategies that should be used. Mental health nurses have also discussed the characteristics of these training programmes. This study sought to create a consensus on the features of Mental Health First Aid Training Programmes promoted by nurses aimed at upper secondary students.

METHODS

A descriptive mixed method study was developed using the modified e-Delphi technique. Original statements on the topic were drawn from the results section of previous studies with nurses and adolescents. The statements were included in a structured online questionnaire. An expert panel of 78 mental health nurses participated in the two-rounds online survey from October to December 2021. Absolute and relative frequencies of responses were analysed. The experts' comments were also considered.

RESULTS

In the first round, experts suggested 4 new ideas about training programmes. Experts took a position on a total of 59 declarations. At least 75% of participants agreed with 58 statements about training programmes, namely about facilitators, intervention foci, evaluation methodology, participants, the implementation context, period and regularity, intervention strategies and content. The experts' opinions differed only in one statement that expressed the impaired sexual behaviour as a mental health problem to be addressed in the training programmes.

CONCLUSIONS

Mental health nurses can lead the delivery of training programmes in upper secondary schools, improving adolescent competencies in mental health. Several educational approaches can be used to teach about mental health, related problems and actions underlying these conditions. Valid and appropriate assessment methods must be used. Our findings guide the planning, implementation and evaluation of these interventions in upper secondary schools and encourage nurses to explore these programmes and include them in their educational curricula.

Development of a Proposal for a Program to Promote Positive Mental Health Literacy among Adolescents: A Focus Group Study

Over the last years, there have been several studies that have shown insufficient levels of adolescents' mental health literacy (MHL). Knowledge about intervention programs that promote positive mental health literacy (PMeHL) among adolescents is still very scarce. In this sense, we defined as objectives to identify and describe the necessary components to design a program proposal that promotes adolescents' PMeHL. We conducted an exploratory, descriptive, qualitative study using two focus groups in July and September 2022 with an intentional non-probability sample of eleven participants (nine professional experts and two adolescents). Data were analyzed using content analysis, using NVivo^® 12 software (version 12, QRS International: Daresbury Cheshire, UK). We obtained a total of four categories and eighteen subcategories: structure (context; format; contents; length and frequency; pedagogical methods; pedagogical techniques; resources; denomination), participants (target group; program facilitators), assessment (timing; evaluation instruments), other components (planning, articulation and adaptation; involvement; training; special situations; partnerships; referral). The perspectives of the professional experts and of the adolescents that we obtained from this study contributed to the design of a proposal for a program to promote adolescents' PMeHL.