Youth Mental Health First Aid: Potential Collaboration with Social Work to Reduce Sigma and Increase Access to Treatment for Youth with Mental Health Problems

Background and Purpose:

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is listed on SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices as an effective public education program designed to improve knowledge and attitudes toward mental health and help connect people with mental health services throughout their community. A newer version of the program, Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA), is gaining widespread popularity throughout the country but has not been empirically evaluated within the field of social work. The potential for social workers to provide YMHFA in the community, or to train other community “first responders,” warrants investigation. This study assessed outcomes related to knowledge and attitudes about youth mental health among social work field instructors completing the YMHFA 5-day train-the-trainer course. Additionally, this research describes the most effective way to integrate YMHFA into existing MSW and/or BSW education.

Method:

Researchers used a mixed methods design with social work field instructors (n=15) to compare pre- and post-test surveys of competence of YMHFA knowledge principles and self-efficacy to deliver the training after having completed a 5-day intensive train-the-trainer program. Questions regarding the experience of being trained, offering training to MSW students, and where this training might be appropriate for social work education was answered through focus groups with the field instructors, completed six months after the training. The researchers created survey and focus group questions adapted from assessment tools used in prior research on MHFA and YMHFA. Descriptive and bivariate analyses documented perspectives of field instructors. T-tests assessed change in knowledge and attitudes over time; focus group data was coded using a thematic analysis data approach.

Results:

Based on questions on the survey and focus group responses, the majority of field instructors felt that the YMHFA training was excellent and important for social work and the general public. They stated several times that the training was better suited for BSW or foundation year MSW students due to the focus on and basic awareness of mental health and referral, rather than diagnosing. Surprisingly though, scores on the YMHFA knowledge and confidence to train MSW students on YMHFA activities and skills increased significantly from pre- to post-test (p<.05), suggesting that while the information may be basic, there was still room for field instructors to improve in their own knowledge and confidence in training.

Conclusions and Implications

In conclusion, field instructors felt that the train-the-trainer program was outstanding and that for the most part, they enjoyed offering the training and would continue to train social workers and para-professionals, including clergy and teachers in the near future. As for fit within social work education, they stated that the training might be best suited for BSW curricula or incorporated into MSW social work orientation for students who do not have a social work background. The field instructors felt the training overall did a good job in preparing them to offer the course to others and that the YMHFA material adds value for social work education and practice.