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.
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
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.
Population of Focus: Multiple Populations
Links to Resources:
- Read more about Mental Health First Aid
- Explore the Mental Health First Aid Website
- Learn more about Mental Health First Aid’s latest impacts
- View the MHFA U.S.-based Research Summary
- Read more case studies by Mental Health First Aid
Date: 2024