Evaluation of Mental Health First Aid training program in Bangladesh: A modified Delphi study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akib Ul Huque ◽  
Umme Kawser ◽  
Monira Rahman ◽  
Shamini Gnani ◽  
Mala Rao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
First Aid ◽  
Mental Health First Aid ◽  
Modified Delphi ◽  
First Aid Training

Abstract BackgroundBangladesh, like other low-resource countries, faces a shortage of a trained mental health workforce to meet its population's mental health needs adequately. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has further aggravated this. Mental health first aid (MHFA) is an internationally recognized training program that has been operating in Bangladesh since 2015. It offers a potential way to reduce the mental health treatment gap and skills shortage by training laypeople to help support individuals with mental health issues. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of MHFA training in Bangladesh. MethodsAn online modified Delphi study was conducted consisting of two rounds of a self-administered survey and a consensus workshop. A five-step logic framework was used to develop questionnaire statements (n=111) that consisted of 'general,' 'I,' and 'social impact' statements around the seven MHFA aims. The statements were constructed in English and adapted in Bangla. The expert panel consisted of 20 participants trained in the MHFA program. Participants anonymously stated their opinion on 111 round-1 statements and then on 27 low agreement statements in round-2. The consensus workshop facilitated a group discussion where participants explained their views on the low consensus items. ResultsThe consensus ranged from 61.5% (Aim 3: Promote recovery of good mental health) to 100% (Aim 7: To improve own health and well-being) with an overall consensus of 83.8%. 'Social impact' items produced the most (50%) disagreements. Participants' comments reflected 12 themes of MHFA's effectiveness in fostering and promoting mental health individually and socially. There were nine themes of disagreement reflecting individual, sociocultural, and political barriers to the implementation of MHFA in Bangladesh. Participants made recommendations for the MHFA and mental health initiatives in Bangladesh to increase mental health awareness, acceptance, and support in society.ConclusionMHFA training offers Bangladesh and other low-and-middle-income countries a potential solution to tackle mental health burden at individual and societal levels and the additional challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic poses to mental health.

scholarly journals Offering mental health first aid to a person after a potentially traumatic event: a Delphi study to redevelop the 2008 guidelines

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn J. Chalmers ◽  
Anthony F. Jorm ◽  
Claire M. Kelly ◽  
Nicola J. Reavley ◽  
Kathy S. Bond ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
First Aid ◽  
Consensus Method ◽  
Mental Health First Aid ◽  
The Public ◽  
First Aid Training

Abstract Background Trauma has a major impact on the mental health and wellbeing of people globally. Friends, family and members of the public are often well positioned to provide initial assistance if someone is experiencing extreme distress following a potentially traumatic event. Expert consensus guidelines for high income, Western countries on how to do this were published in 2008. The aim of the current study was to re-develop these guidelines to ensure they are current and reflect best practice. Methods The Delphi consensus method was used to determine which helping statements should be included in the guidelines. Helping statements were derived from a systematic search of literature that considered how a member of the public could help someone experiencing extreme distress following a potentially traumatic event. Two expert panels, comprising 28 mental health professionals with expertise in managing trauma and 26 consumer advocates, rated each statement. Statements were accepted for inclusion in the guidelines if they were endorsed by at least 80% of each panel. Results Out of 183 statements, 103 were endorsed as appropriate helping actions in providing assistance to someone experiencing extreme distress following a potentially traumatic event. These statements were used to form the re-developed guidelines. Conclusion This study has resulted in a more comprehensive set of guidelines than the original version, with the endorsement of 103 helping actions, compared to 65 previously. The updated guidelines better represent the complexities of experiencing trauma and the considered approach required when providing first aid after a potentially traumatic event. The additional guidance on providing initial assistance, talking about the trauma, offering short-term assistance and seeking appropriate professional help reflects current knowledge. A notable addition is the inclusion of content on how a first aider can assist after a disclosure of abuse. The guidelines are available to the public and will inform future updates of Mental Health First Aid training courses.

Using Stakeholder Perceptions to Inform the Scale-Up of Mental Health First Aid Training in China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shurong Lu ◽  
Yanling He ◽  
Kendall Searle ◽  
Pilvikki Absetz ◽  
Brian Oldenburg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
First Aid ◽  
Stakeholder Perceptions ◽  
Mental Health First Aid ◽  
First Aid Training

scholarly journals Farm Advisors’ reflections on Mental Health First Aid training

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Delwar Hossain ◽  
Don Gorman ◽  
Rob Eley ◽  
Jeff Coutts
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
First Aid ◽  
Mental Health First Aid ◽  
First Aid Training

scholarly journals Offering mental health first aid to a person with depression: a Delphi study to re-develop the guidelines published in 2008

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathy S. Bond ◽  
Fairlie A. Cottrill ◽  
Fiona L. Blee ◽  
Claire M. Kelly ◽  
Betty A. Kitchener ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
First Aid ◽  
Mental Health First Aid
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