Feedback from American participants of a Mental Health First Aid training course

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a course meant to train participants in how to identify and respond to signs of mental disorders and crises. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a qualitative study of MHFA participants to get a sense of some values and challenges associated with the training.

Results from an online survey of 143 participants yielded 24 discrete themes. Survey responses were gathered into a single data set and coded by two independent raters.

Themes were sorted into four categories: MHFA benefits, training limitations, challenges to MHFA, and resources that facilitate MHFA. Several benefits emerged, consistent with findings from Australian studies.

Findings represent a sample of people who completed the program in Chicago; research needs to determine how perceived benefits and limitations vary by geographic area.

Findings echoed many of the benefits found in studies conducted outside the USA and can be used to further improve MHFA training as it expands in the US market.