Mental Health First Aid

Evidence-level

Evidence-Based (About evidence-level criteria)

Description

Mental Health First Aid is an early intervention education program that teaches the public how to assist someone experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Mental Health First Aid teaches the skills needed to identify, understand, and respond to individuals who may be experiencing signs of a mental illness or substance use disorder. Mental Health First Aid is administered until appropriate support is received or until the crisis is resolved.

The training is especially useful in rural communities where access to mental health services may be limited. Rural Mental Health First Aid is a way to build community-level capacity to identify mental health and substance use concerns early and for rural residents to increase their confidence to intervene and refer people to the resources that do exist. Mental Health First Aid is a way to increase the level of baseline knowledge about mental health and substance use and to decrease the negative perceptions often associated with them.

Mental Health First Aid was first created in Australia in 2001. The training program has been used successfully throughout Australia, including in rural areas. It has been adapted in over 27 countries, including the United States. Mental Health First Aid USA is managed by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

Services offered

Mental Health First Aid training is offered through an 8-hour course where participants learn about:

• Risk factors and warning signs for mental health issues
• Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and substance use disorders
• A 5-step action plan to assess a situation, identify appropriate interventions, and help people access mental health services
• Resources available to help people experiencing a mental health issue

Audiences for this training include:

• Law enforcement
• First responders
• Primary care providers
• Nursing home staff
• Schools and teachers
• Faith-based organizations
• Employers and the business community
• Higher education staff and students
• Military, veterans, and family members
• Populations working with older adults
• Policymakers
• Mental health advocacy organizations
• Shelter volunteers
• Families
• General public

Results

Since 2008, more than one million people across the United States have been trained - including over 167,850 people living in rural areas. Research studies examining this approach have found that Mental Health First Aid course participants have:

• Improved knowledge of mental illnesses and treatments
• Knowledge of appropriate strategies for helping others
• Confidence to provide assistance regarding mental health issues

The Rural Monitor article Mental Health First Aid Offers Helping Hand in Rural Communities provides an overview of Rural Mental Health First Aid, with details on rural implementations in Missouri and New Mexico.

Mental Health First Aid USA summarizes the program's research and evidence base.

Replication

Mental Health First Aid USA offers a directory of courses and instructors as well as information on how to become an instructor. Instructors can obtain a rural training designation. Mental Health First Aid for Rural Communities also provides information about this program.

Contact Information

General Inquiries, Mental Health First Aid
888.244.8980 Ext. 5
Hello@MentalHealthFirstAid.org