Universal mental health training for frontline professionals (UMHT)’s feasibility analysis

Abstract

Background Universal Mental Health Training for Frontline Professionals (UMHT) is an educational programme developed and piloted in Ukraine in 2021-2023 to bridge the mental health treatment gap. The UMHT trains frontline professionals (FLPs) to interact with, support, and refer individuals with mental health conditions for professional help. Methods To assess the UMHT feasibility, we used statistics on the actual use of the programme, as well as data from satisfaction and usability surveying of 144 programme deliverers and 714 trained frontline professionals. A combination of Kruskal-Wallis and Post Hoc Dunn tests was used to identify statistically significant intergroup differences in the UMHT usability. Results All the characteristics defined to assess the UMHT showed its feasibility. Programme’s demand increased through years of implementation (2021, 2022, 2023) in terms of the numbers of training events (27, 35, 90), trained frontline professionals (596, 779, 1548), involved donors and supporters (1, 4, 9) and local and countrywide implementers (2, 10, 18). The UMHT acceptability as satisfaction with the programme content and delivery is 4.81 (0.291) for the UMHT trainers and 4.78 (0.434) for trained FLPs. The UMHT preparedness to use trained skills after participation in the training events is 4.57 (0.438) for the UMHT trainers and 4.46 (0.650) for trained FLPs. The highest rates of usability of all UMHT skills were found for educators (0.68 [0.118]), police officers (0.67 [0.098]), and social workers (0.66 [0.113]). Conclusions The UMHT offers a universal frame of interaction with people with mental health conditions for frontline professionals. Assessment of the UMHT feasibility shows the programme’s potential for further development and implementation. Programme trainers as its deliverers and frontline professionals as its recipients report high satisfaction with training content and delivery as well as preparedness to apply gained knowledge and skills in practice.