The role of Mental Health First Aid training in nursing education: A response to Happell, Wilson & McNamara (2015)

Abstract

This article responds to concerns Happell, Wilson and McNamara (2015) have raised about the role of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training in undergraduate mental health nursing education in Australia. MHFA training was developed in Australia to improve the capacity of members of the public to provide initial help to a person with a mental health problem or in a crisis. In 2012, the Australian government provided funding for MHFA training of frontline workers, including nursing students. From mid 2012-mid 2016, over 15,728 nursing students received the training. An evaluation study found positive effects on intentions to provide MHFA and confidence in helping a peer, improvements in MHFA kn..