Evaluating mental health first aid training in Ireland: a study of participants’ post training experience and helping behaviour

Introduction: The current study sought to add to existing Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) literature by investigating the post-training experiences and helping behaviour of MHFA trainees in Ireland. In particular, this study aimed to understand the long-term outcomes of MHFA and the nature and quality of MHFA helping behaviours. The present research adopted a critical lens through which to examine MHFA experiences, exploring the impact of discourses constructing mental health and in doing so addressing a gap in the existing research. Method: A qualitative design was used to address the current research questions. Adopting a critical realist approach, previous MHFA trainees (n=256) completed an online survey gathering demographic details and brief qualitative information about their experiences. Individual telephone interviews were then conducted with 30 self-selecting survey participants (12 male; 18 female). Survey answers were downloaded online through Qualtrics. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim for analysis. Results: Separate thematic analysis (TA) was carried out with survey and interview data, focusing on in-depth analysis of the interview data. Survey data addressed each of the following: Reasons for doing MHFA, Previous training or professional experience in mental health, Changes experienced as a result of MHFA, and Challenges in attempting to use MHFA. Interview analysis produced 6 core themes: Helping for Mental Health Problems; MHFA Narratives & Experiences, Resources & Services for Mental health, Subjective Norms, Understandings of Mental Health, and Covid-19. Conclusions: Findings confirmed the utility of MHFA training for improving general knowledge, attitudes and behaviour towards mental health problems. MHFA was found to influence helping behaviour and trainees’ confidence to provide help. Factors such as stigma, social support, previous experience and resources to support MHFA were also found to impact these outcomes. The present research provides support for mental health training that uses diverse and inclusive understandings of mental health. It also highlights the limits to using knowledge to change behaviour towards mental health. It is suggested that in order for MHFA to be effective, it should be reinforced by contexts which promote inclusion and equality for people with mental health problems.