Case Studies
Qualitative study of first aiders’ experiences, 2004
People who have completed the Mental Health First Aid course often tell stories about how they have used their first aid skills to help someone. These stories are particularly interesting because they tell about the effects of the first aid on the person helped. In order to systematically analyse such stories, 131 former course participants were approached 19-21 months following the course and asked to complete a questionnaire about their experiences. 94 of these people responded. It was found that 78% had used their first aid skills. Many positive effects were reported, including increased empathy and confidence and being better able to handle crises. There was no evidence that people were over-reaching themselves because of over-confidence. Participants were very positive about the benefits of the course and keen to see it repeated and extended.
Download full report of this study from BMC Psychiatry 2005, here.
Review of MHFA evaluation studies, 2005
Mental Health First Aid training: review of evaluation studies.
Australia and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 2006;40:6-8. Download here.
Overview of the MHFA training and research program, 2006
Mental Health First Aid training for members of the public.
International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology 2007;7:141-151. Download here.
The international spread of the MHFA program, 2007
Mental Health First Aid: an International program for early intervention.
Early Intervention in Psychiatry 2008;2:55-61. Download here.
Description and evaluation of a MHFA program for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, 2009
This is the first published paper on an evaluation of a cultural adaptation of the MHFA Australia program. An initial qualitative evaluation of the uptake and acceptability of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander MHFA program found the program is culturally appropriate, empowering Aboriginal people and providing information that is highly relevant in assisting Aboriginal people with a mental illness.
To download the article abstract please click here.