Effectiveness of teen Mental Health First Aid in Improving Teen‐to‐Teen Support Among American Adolescents*

Abstract

BACKGROUNDteen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) is an Australian school‐based universal program for grade 10 to 12 students. tMHFA teaches teens how to recognize and respond to a peer in crisis or experiencing mental health concerns.METHODSSchools implementing tMHFA in 2019 and 2020 were propensity score matched, yielding a sample of instructors (n = 130) and students (n = 1915) in 44 high schools in 24 American states. Effectiveness and acceptability were assessed with student surveys at baseline and after implementation.RESULTSThere were significant findings for primary outcomes, including improved helpful first aid intentions (Cohen ds = 0.57 to 0.58), confidence supporting a peer (ds = 0.19 to 0.31); the number of adults rated as helpful (ds = 0.37 to 0.44); and reductions in stigmatizing beliefs (ds = 0.21 to 0.40) and “harmful first aid intentions” (ds = 0.11 to 0.42). Instructors and students rated the program favorably with students sharing improvements on their recognition and responses to mental health problems and crises.CONCLUSIONtMHFA is an effective, feasible, and scalable training program for increasing mental health literacy and decreasing mental health stigma in adolescents in the short term, consistent with trials of tMHFA in Australian adolescents.

The Role of Social Problem-Solving and Prosocial Behavior in First Aid Willingness among Adolescents in Hungary

“…Although only a few studies have investigated first aid willingness, it seems that it is mainly correlated with knowledge, self-efficacy, and previous experience [ 9 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Furthermore, studies showed that adolescents are more willing to provide first aid to their peers, as they have decreased stigmatizing attitudes [ 9 , 14 ]. Moreover, girls and older individuals have an increased willingness to help as well [ 9 , 14 ].…”

“…Furthermore, studies showed that adolescents are more willing to provide first aid to their peers, as they have decreased stigmatizing attitudes [ 9 , 14 ]. Moreover, girls and older individuals have an increased willingness to help as well [ 9 , 14 ]. Previous studies have found that girls have a more empathic attitude than males in helping behavior, and they react more strongly and are more supportive in these situations [ 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”