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.

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

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Mental Health First Aid Training Programmes with a pathogenic perspective are implemented worldwide for different participants and contexts. These interventions can promote the medicalization and psychiatrization movement of human suffering. Training programmes should teach about mental health nursing problems rather than disorders. However, there seem to be no studies describing these healthier interventions targeting adolescents in upper secondary schools. Nurses can explore these interventions and target them towards these participants and contexts. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: The perspective of nurses on the characteristics of Mental Health First Aid Training Programmes for adolescents in Portuguese upper secondary schools is reported. Experts recognize that the nurses who perform these interventions must have personal, pedagogical and mental health competencies. Therefore, mental health nurses may be considered. The components of mental health literacy, mental health nursing problems and a dynamic first aid plan can be taught using different classroom training strategies. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: The role of mental health nurses in promoting health literacy is highlighted. They have the opportunity to lead multidisciplinary teams in using these healthier training programmes. These expert opinions can shape the planning, implementation and evaluation of these interventions. In turn, training programmes can promote the identification, assistance and/or adequate and timely referral of people with mental health nursing problems. ABSTRACT: Introduction Mental Health First Aid Training Programmes performed by nurses can empower adolescents to aid people with mental health problems. There do not appear to be any studies that describe these healthier interventions aimed at adolescents in upper secondary schools. The development of these educational interventions benefits from the input of their participants and facilitators. Aim To explore the perspective of nurses about Mental Health First Aid Training Programmes for adolescents in upper secondary schools. Method A qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study was conducted. Data were collected from seven mental health nurses during two focus group sessions. Data were analysed using content analysis. Results Twelve themes were identified around nine main areas: facilitators, intervention foci, outcomes assessment methods, process assessment methods, participants, implementation context, duration and frequency, intervention methods and strategies, and contents. Discussion Mental health nurses can regularly perform these classroom interventions to improve the mental health competencies of adolescents. Various educational methods can facilitate learning related to mental health literacy components, mental health nursing problems and the first aid plan. Valid and appropriate assessment methods enhance a good representation of these interventions. Implications for Practice This evidence can guide the creation and modelling of these first aid training programmes.

A qualitative study exploring adolescents' perspective about Mental Health First Aid Training Programmes promoted by nurses in upper secondary schools

Mental Health First Aid Training Programmes are educational interventions that aim to disseminate basic first aid skills in the community. Adolescents in the context of their secondary school education are a particularly appropriate population for literacy promotion interventions. This study explores adolescents' perspectives on Mental Health First Aid Training Programmes promoted by nurses in Portuguese upper secondary schools. A qualitative and exploratory study was conducted. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 12 adolescents who participated voluntarily and with the consent of their parents. Data were analysed using content analysis. Fourteen themes were identified around three main areas: (i) Relevance of training programmes, (ii) Content of training programmes and (iii) Intervention methods of training programmes. The results obtained indicate that adolescents consider Mental Health First Aid Training Programmes in school relevant and necessary. Adolescents identified the content they deemed most appropriate and how it could be taught. These results can guide the development of training programmes. Nurses should take the lead in implementing these interventions in schools. Adolescents can take a more active role in mental health issues by improving their literacy.

Review of Mental Health First Aid Programs

Mental health first aid programs are interventions to empower the community to help people with mental health problems/crises. A review of these programs was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute. Published and unpublished works from 2009 to 2019 were considered. The review included 252 studies. Several Mental Health First Aid programs were identified, with varying characteristics, participants, and contexts of implementation. These group interventions were carried out among lay people to health professionals, and in adolescents to the elderly. Additionally, they were conducted in-person and/or virtually, using psychoeducational methods and informational materials. The programs ranged from 30 minutes to 24 hours. These interventions can address nursing foci, and the characteristics of the facilitators are similar to those of mental health nurses. Therefore, this review highlighted the opportunity for nurses to explore Mental Health First Aid programs.

Mental health first aid programs: a scoping review protocol

OBJECTIVE

This review aims to map mental health first aid programs, and identify the characteristics and participants of such programs and the contexts of their implementation.

INTRODUCTION

Mental health first aid is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or undergoing a mental health crisis. The first aid is provided until professional help is accessed or the crisis is resolved.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

This scoping review will address programs that provide basic mental health first aid skills, with no exclusion criteria in terms of participants or contexts.

METHODS

English, Portuguese, and Spanish published studies and unpublished papers, from 2009 to 2019, will be considered. JBI methodology and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews will be followed. The search will be carried out in databases, scientific repositories and reference lists. Duplicates will be removed and two independent reviewers will screen the titles, abstracts and full-text of the selected studies. Data collection will be performed with a tool developed by the researchers, based on JBI's model instrument for extracting study details, characteristics and results. A summary of the results will be presented in visual representations, narratives and tables.