Mental Health First Aid: A Systematic Review of Trainee Behavior and Recipient Mental Health Outcomes

What is it about?

Mental Health First Aid is a popular course that trains non-clinical members of the public to recognize and respond to mental health issues in their communities. This systematic review aimed to assess how Mental Health First Aid trainees act to help people experiencing mental health problems and the mental health implications of those actions for recipients. We found limited studies that evaluated the helping actions of trainees or the mental health of recipients and insufficient evidence that Mental Health First Aid measurably improved these outcomes. Our results suggest that, while the course likely has use as a psychoeducational initiative, much more research is needed to understand its impacts outside of the classroom.

Featured Image