The Teen Mental Health First Aid Initiative

https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/take-a-course/course-types/youth/

Initiative Description: The Teen Mental Health First Aid Initiative: involved three 75-minute classroom sessions facilitated by an accredited MHFA Instructor with specific training and experience in youth mental health. The program focuses on developing knowledge and skills in: recognising warning signs that a peer is developing a mental health problem, understanding how to talk to a peer about mental health and seeking help, when and how to tell a responsible adult, where to find appropriate and helpful resources about mental illness and professional help, and how to respond in a crisis.

Study Results: Statistically significant improvements were found in mental health literacy, confidence in providing Mental Health First Aid to a peer, help-seeking intentions and student mental health, while stigmatizing attitudes significantly reduced.

Reference: Hart, L. M., Mason, R. J., Kelly, C. M., Cvetkovski, S., & Jorm, A. F. (2016). ‘Teen mental health first aid’: A description of the program and an initial evaluation. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 10(1), 3.

Level of Evidence: Good