Youth Mental Health First Aid Research Articles

Evaluating Mental Health First Aid for Illinois Agricultural Communities.

Introduction. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) was created to teach individuals how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Programs like this may be essential for agricultural communities where suicide rates have increased, and mental health stigma has been a barrier to this population. This study evaluated how effective MHFA and Youth MHFA were for participants from agricultural communities. Methods. Participants completed the MHFA (N = 38) and Youth MHFA (N = 66) programs in 2021-2022, and Extension educators offered both programs as a part of outreach efforts within agricultural contexts. Participants completed pre-, post-, and post-only evaluations as standardized by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Results. After completing the MHFA and Youth MHFA training, participants increased their knowledge, confidence, and skills in various mental health topics. This includes early indicators of mental health challenges, the ability to have supportive conversations, and how to provide resources to others. For example, most participants felt they became more knowledgeable about MHFA (69%) and the ability to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use challenges (65%). Conclusion. This research has implications for supporting agricultural workers through additional mental health training, managing farm stress, and understanding mental health stigma within this community.

Cultural considerations for youth mental health first aid USA for South Asian and Southeast Asian American families

ABSTRACT Objective: Mental health is a pressing concern for South Asian Americans (SAAs) and Southeast Asian Americans (SEAAs) in the U.S. However, research on mental health support specifically for these populations is limited. Given their unique experiences as racial minorities in the U.S., this study aims to identify culturally relevant factors impacting youth mental health and examine culturally sensitive ways to adapt Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) for SAA and SEAA communities. Method: We conducted two focus group interviews with 10 SAA and SEAA mental health professionals and two focus group interviews with six SAA and SEAA parents who had received YMHFA training. These interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. The two coders established good interrater reliability with a kappa of .90. Results: Findings identified themes such as barriers to help-seeking, protective factors, considerations for cultural adaptation of YMHFA when working with SAA and SEAA families, and parents’ experience utilizing ALGEE. Some sub-themes include acculturative stress, stigma, cultural strengths, family values, building community partnerships, coping strategies, and psychoeducation. Discussion: This study describes prevalent barriers and facilitators to mental health and explores clinical and research implications of working with SAA and SEAA youth and families.

Youth mental health first aid training with diverse educators.

Schools are the most likely place for students to receive formal or informal mental health services and support. Classroom educators often provide informal mental health support to students and referrals to school-based services. Despite their key role, educators often feel underprepared in recognizing concerning symptoms in youth and supporting student mental health. This mixed-methods study explored the effectiveness of in-person Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training on a diverse sample of 106 educators (Mage = 22, SD = 1.9 years, 96% ethnic minorities): City Year AmeriCorps members who work in diverse low-income schools in Florida. We culturally adapted the program to better meet the needs of the participants and the students they serve as over 95% of the students they served were people of color. Quantitative survey data were collected at three time points (pre, post, and 3 months after the training) to examine whether YMHFA training better equipped classroom educators to support students' mental health. Overall, training was associated with improvements in mental health literacy, knowledge of school-based mental health providers, confidence, and intentions to engage in mental health first aid (MHFA) behaviors. Notably, educators reported greater engagement in mental health first aid behaviors at the 3-month follow-up than before training. No improvement in mental health stigma was observed. Some improvements (i.e., mental health literacy, intentions to help) were not sustained at the follow-up. Qualitative data generally supported quantitative findings and suggested that the YMHFA program with cultural consideration is suitable for this diverse sample of classroom educators. Educators' suggestions to improve the training to support culturally and linguistically diverse students' mental health are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Evaluation of the Virtual Youth Mental Health First Aid Training for Asian Americans During COVID-19

ABSTRACT Asian American youth experience high rates of racism and mental health difficulties, yet are less likely to seek mental health services compared to their non-Asian peers. Due to restrictions on in-person interactions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, many mental health services have been delivered virtually since March 2020. Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) virtual training is a manualized program designed to educate adults on recognizing signs and symptoms of common adolescent mental health challenges, and how they could effectively intervene. However, there is no published research on the effectiveness of the YMHFA-virtual version. Also, there is limited research on the effectiveness of YMHFA among Asian Americans, a vulnerable population. Utilizing a pre-post design, we evaluated the effects of the virtual YMHFA that we adapted for Asian Americans. Thirty-five Asian/American adults (Mage = 47.0, SDage = 8.98) participated in the YMHFA-virtual training and completed pre- and post- surveys. Significant increases were found in participants’ mental health literacy (MHL), mental health knowledge, confidence in using the mental health first aid skills, help-seeking intentions, and help-seeking attitudes, while a significant decrease was found in their stigma toward mental illnesses. The effect sizes varied from small (e.g., attitudes) to large (MHL and confidence in using MHFA skills). These promising findings have several implications. The culturally adapted YMHFA-virtual version may be an effective way to reach Asian Americans and promote mental health awareness, helpful attitudes, and confidence in supporting youth with mental health challenges in a culturally sensitive and non-threatening manner among this population.

Culturally adapting youth mental health first aid training for Asian Americans.

Despite high rates of mental health challenges, Asian Americans are less likely to seek out and receive school-based mental health services (SBMHSs) than their non-Asian peers. The Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training is an 8-hr manualized public education program designed to educate adults on recognizing common mental health challenges among adolescents and intervening. However, no published research has evaluated YMHFA among Asian Americans. We culturally adapted YMHFA for Asian Americans (Asian American parents and youth workers) and used a pretest/posttest design to evaluate its effectiveness. Specifically, we (a) added one 2-hr session before the YMHFA to augment engagement with the curriculum and (b) contextualized the YMHFA curriculum content to ensure cultural sensitivity for Asian American participants. Thirty-one Asian immigrant parents (Mage = 45.55, SD = 3.6) and 24 Asian American youth workers (Mage = 23.17, SD = 3.67) participated in YMHFA. Participants' mental health literacy (MHL) and their confidence in using MHFA skills significantly increased after the training. Participants also participated in four focus groups after the training to share their experiences. Participants stated that they benefited from this training and suggested additional cultural adaptations to make the program more appropriate for Asian Americans. Culturally adapted YMHFA may be an effective way to promote MHL and engage Asian Americans in mental health services. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Youth Mental Health First Aid: Examining the Influence of Pre-Existing Attitudes and Knowledge on Training Effectiveness.

Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is a gatekeeper training designed to assist professionals in their identification and response to youth mental illness. Despite widespread implementation, few studies have examined how individual-level trainee characteristics may impact the effectiveness of this training. In this study, we examined how pre-existing knowledge and attitudes about youth mental illness (measured prior to participation in the program) influenced training outcomes. We used a sample of 987 child-serving professionals who completed the YMHFA training program to identify demographic and work-related factors that predicted pre-existing attitudes and knowledge. The sample was then divided into two groups based on pre-existing attitudes and knowledge. We examined training effectiveness across four constructs: knowledge, confidence, intentions to intervene, and stigma. Findings indicate that gender and work-related characteristics were associated with pre-existing knowledge and attitudes about youth mental illness. The magnitude of training effectiveness varied across pre-existing attitudes and knowledge. Those participants with above average attitudes and knowledge benefited little from the program, suggesting that universal implementation of YMHFA may not be an efficient use of resources. Suggestions for a tiered implementation plan that prioritizes professionals most in need of the training are discussed.

Youth Mental Health First Aid (Y-MHFA) Trainings for Educators: A Systematic Review

There’s an increase in mental health concerns with youth, making it imperative to address developing educators’ capacity for identifying and delivering mental health supports. Youth Mental Health First Aid (Y-MHFA) aims to provide the tools for adults to offer aid to youth in need or in crisis. This review examined outcomes associated with Y-MHFA when implemented in school settings. Eight relevant studies were identified through a comprehensive systematic review of online databases, such as PsychINFO and ERIC, and related references. Published studies specifically about Y-MHFA written in English that report educator and/or college student outcomes were included. Overall, findings from the review illustrate promising gains in youth mental health literacy in educators and college students. However, there was a lack of control groups, long-term follow-ups, and cultural and diverse considerations to fully support Y-MHFA. Mental health awareness, strategies, and skills gained after Y-MHFA have implications for educators providing mental health supports to adolescent students and, therefore, increasing future student success. Further implications and areas for future research are discussed.

Exploring perceived costs and benefits of first aid for youth with depression: a qualitative study of Japanese undergraduates

BackgroundEarly interventions for depression among youth are greatly needed. Although Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) program has been developed to teach the public how to help young people with mental disorders, including depression, it has assumed human altruism and overlooked the possibility that participants would experience conflict between the costs and benefits of helping behaviors. The present qualitative study, therefore, initially explored content of the costs and benefits perceived by youth in terms of helping their peers with depression.MethodsA total of 56 Japanese undergraduates (32 female, 24 male; Mage = 20.20, SD = 1.09) participated in the face-to-face survey. They were provided with basic knowledge about helping behaviors and were presented with a vignette describing an undergraduate with depression. Then, they left free descriptive comments on their views of the costs/benefits of helping/not helping the person in the vignette. As supplemental quantitative analyses, we statistically compared numbers of labels (n = 624), which were obtained from participants’ comments, across two (costs/benefits) × two (helping/not helping) domains. Finally, we conducted a qualitative content analysis that combined inductive and deductive methods to categorize these labels.ResultsThe supplemental quantitative analyses (i.e., ANOVA and post hoc analyses) on the numbers of labels highlighted that the participants perceived suppressors (i.e., costs of helping, benefits of not helping) as well as motivators (i.e., costs of not helping) in making decision to help peers with depression. The qualitative content analysis mainly showed that: (i) the categories in each domain covered multiple facets of costs and benefits, including negative/positive effects on the participants themselves, the person in the vignette, and interpersonal relationships; and that (ii) the participants perceived the conflicts of costs and benefits regardless of whether they help their peers with depression.ConclusionsThese results provide evidence for how young people experience the conflicts between the costs and benefits of helping behaviors toward their peers with depression and reveal specific content of these costs and benefits. These findings could serve as a basis for extending YMHFA programs and designing educational content to promote public helping behaviors in realistic situations.

An Assessment of the Utility of the Youth Mental Health First Aid Training: Effectiveness, Satisfaction, and Universality.

Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is a training program developed to educate child-serving professionals on how to properly identify and respond to mental health needs among children and adolescents. The current study tested the utility of the training by examining the effectiveness, satisfaction, and universality across child-serving occupations. Data collected from 893 child-serving professionals was used to compare training effectiveness and training experiences across four different occupational settings (child welfare, education, support services, and the justice system). Using a pretest/posttest survey design, strong support for the effectiveness of YMHFA (i.e. knowledge, confidence, preparedness, and intentions to intervene), satisfaction with the training program, and universality of effectiveness and satisfaction across the occupational groups was found. Results highlight the utility of YMHFA across different sectors of child-serving agencies and support its sustainability.

Youth Mental Health First‐Aid: Juvenile Justice Staff Training to Assist Youth with Mental Health Concerns

AbstractMany youth in juvenile justice settings meet criteria for a mental health condition. Front line staff need to be able to recognize and respond to their needs, but training is often lacking. Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is an 8‐hour training for adults without mental health education to recognize and assist distressed youth. This study surveyed 1,279 [State blinded] DJS front‐line staff trained in YMHFA. Of 338 returned surveys (26% response), 44% reported using YMHFA skills at work, 56% in preventing a crisis, 25% during crises. Respondents rated YMHFA as significantly improving their responsiveness to distressed young people.

An evaluation of the teen and Youth Mental Health First Aid training with a CALD focus: an uncontrolled pilot study with adolescents and adults in Australia

BackgroundAustralia is an ethnically diverse nation with one of the largest refugee resettlement programs worldwide. Evidence suggests that although the risk of developing mental disorders in culturally linguistically diverse (CALD) adolescents may be elevated, professional help-seeking in CALD youth is low. This study sought to evaluate the face-to-face teen (tMHFA) and Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training with a CALD focus, which aimed at improving mental health literacy (MHL) and skills in youth and adults assisting adolescents with mental health problems.MethodsAn uncontrolled pre-, post-, and follow-up design was used to measure improvement in MHL measures in year 10 students and adults.ResultsA total of 372 year 10 students from 2 high schools were trained. 308 responded to the pre-training questionnaire, 220 responded to the post-training questionnaire, and 256 completed the 3-month follow-up questionnaire. A total of 34 adults were trained, 32 responded to the pre-questionnaire and 31 responded to the post-training questionnaire and 20 completed the 3-month follow-up questionnaire. Following training, students were more likely to endorse ‘helpful’ adults as valid sources of help (p < 0.001) and these gains were maintained at follow-up (p < 0.01). Significantly higher levels of concordant (helpful) helping intentions were found after training (p < 0.01), and this was maintained at follow-up (p < 0.05). Significant lower levels of discordant (harmful) helping intentions were found after training (p < 0.001), and this was maintained at follow-up (p < 0.01). A significant improvement in adults’ knowledge of youth mental health problems and Youth Mental Health First Aid was noted from pre- to post-training (p < 0.01) and was maintained at follow-up (p < 0.01). Confidence when helping a young person with mental health problems increased significantly after training (p < 0.001) and this was maintained at follow-up (p < 0.05).ConclusionOur findings indicated the training led to an improvement in a number of measures of MHL and helpful intentions of both the adolescents and adults evaluated. These results indicate that CALD tMHFA and YMHFA are a recommended way of upskilling those trained and thereby leading to the improvement youth mental health in areas with high proportion of ethnically diverse groups.

Effectiveness of Mental Health First Aid: a meta-analysis

Purpose The purpose of this paper, a meta-analysis and systematic review of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), is to focus on studies that reported trainees’ mental health literacy, attitudes and helping-related behaviors, as well as the impact of the program for the people who came into contact with trainees (i.e. recipients). Design/methodology/approach A systematic search included several online databases of published studies, dissertations or theses, and journals commonly publishing research in this area. Studies were randomized or non-randomized control trials using an intervention based upon the adult or youth MHFA curriculum. Findings Of the 8,257 initial articles, 16 met inclusion criteria. Small-to-moderate effect sizes (Hedges’ g=0.18–0.53) were found for the primary outcomes for the trainees with effects appearing to be maintained at follow-up. Study quality was inversely associated with effect size. No evidence of investigator allegiance was detected. Few studies examined the effects for those who received aid from a MHFA trainee. Preliminary quantitative evidence appeared lacking (Hedges’ g=−0.04 to 0.12); furthermore, a qualitative review found limited positive effects. Research limitations/implications MHFA trainees appear to benefit from MHFA; however, objective behavioral changes are in need of greater emphasis. Additionally, considerably greater attention and effort in testing effects on distressed recipients is needed with future empirical investigations. Originality/value This is the first known review that includes preliminary findings on the effects of MHFA on the distressed recipients of the aid. It is anticipated that this will prompt further investigation into the impact of MHFA.

Youth mental health first aid: Initial outcomes of a statewide rollout in Ohio

Although mental health concerns are common among children and adolescents, youth-serving adults often feel underprepared in responding to these challenges. Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is a training program designed to teach adults how to assist youths experiencing mental health or addiction challenges. This pilot program evaluation study examined the outcomes of YMHFA associated with adult knowledge, confidence, beliefs, and behaviors. Participants included 2,180 individuals in Ohio who attended a YMHFA training between January 2015 and August 2016; most participants were White women and represented professions in the field of education. Results revealed that YMHFA participants became more confident, willing to help, aware of support and resources, and accepting of individuals with mental health conditions three months posttraining. A high percentage of YMHFA participants also reported applying YMHFA Action Steps at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the training. Demographic differences (by race, gender, age, and occupation) in the adult outcomes associated with YMHFA training did not emerge when removing the effects of other participant variables. Limitations, future directions for research, and implications for school psychology practice are discussed in this Service Delivery Brief.

Does Mental Health First Aid training improve the mental health of aid recipients? The training for parents of teenagers randomised controlled trial

BackgroundThere is well-established evidence that Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training improves knowledge about how to support someone developing a mental health problem, but less evidence that this support improves the mental health of the recipient of aid. This randomised controlled trial aimed to assess the long-term effects of MHFA training of parents on the mental health of their adolescent children.Methods384 Australian parents of an adolescent aged 12–15 were randomised to receive either the 14-h Youth MHFA course or the 15-h Australian Red Cross Provide First Aid course. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 1-year, and 2-year follow-up in both parents and adolescents. Primary outcomes were cases of adolescent mental health problems, and parental support towards their adolescent if they developed a mental health problem, rated by the parent and adolescent. Secondary outcomes included parent knowledge about mental health problems, intentions and confidence in supporting a young person, stigmatizing attitudes, and help-seeking for mental health problems.ResultsParent and adolescent reports showed no significant difference between training groups in the proportion of cases of adolescents with a mental health problem over time (ps > .05). There was also no significant difference between training groups in the quality of parental support provided to their adolescent at 1- or 2-year follow-up (ps > .05). In contrast, some secondary outcomes showed benefits from the Youth MHFA training relative to the control, with increased parental knowledge about mental health problems at 1-year (d = 0.43) and 2-year follow-up (d = 0.26), and increased confidence to help a young person (d = 0.26) and intentions to provide effective support (d = 0.22) at 1-year follow-up.ConclusionsThe study showed some improvements in mental health literacy in training recipients, but could not detect changes in the mental health of adolescents and the support provided to them by their parents if they had a mental health problem. However, there was a lack of power to detect primary outcome effects and therefore the question of whether MHFA training leads to better outcomes in the recipients of aid remains to be further explored.Trial registrationACTRN12612000390886, registered retrospectively 5/4/2012.

Exploring Youth Mental Health First Aider Training Outcomes by Workforce Affiliation: A Survey of Project AWARE Participants

Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is a public education program designed to improve youth mental health outcomes by training adults to notice mental health problems and help youth in seeking treatment. This study used a pre–post 3-month follow-up design to explore whether mental health literacy (MHL), perceived mental health stigma (MHS), and confidence in helping behavior differed across time between Youth Mental Health First Aiders (i.e., involved in Project Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education) who are and are not members of the mental health workforce. As expected at pretest, mental health workforce first aiders scored significantly higher than non-mental health workforce first aiders for MHL and confidence in helping behavior (p < .001), but no differences were found for MHS. Non-mental health workforce aiders scored significantly better from pretest to posttest for MHL and confidence in helping behavior (p < .001), to levels consistent with participants from the mental health workforce, who did not show improvements at posttest over relatively high pretest levels. With no additional training, non-mental health workforce participants were able to maintain the positive gains at the 3-month follow-up. Results suggest that YMHFA training is effective in increasing non-mental health workforce professionals’ MHL and confidence to a level similar to that of their mental health workforce colleagues. Study findings suggest that YMHFA training may be too basic for mental health workforce professionals, and alternative trainings should be provided for them.

An Evaluation of Youth Mental Health First Aid Training in School Settings

Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is a training program designed to help adults working with children and adolescents identify and respond to youth who are experiencing mental health problems or are in crisis. YMHFA is being implemented in a number of educational, child welfare, and juvenile justice settings across the country with little evidence of its effectiveness. As part of a broader mental health program implemented in five schools in a southeastern county in the USA, YMHFA was provided to school personnel over a 2-year period. This study presents the results of a pretest/posttest evaluation of the YMHFA training. In general, results provide preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of the YMHFA training. More specifically, results highlight the importance of YMHFA training for personnel who have never received mental health training/education and for those who do not have experience working with vulnerable youth populations.

26.4 Increasing Mental Health Awareness and Interventions in Rural Schools

After the Newton, Connecticut school shooting in 2012, President Obama released his “Now is the Time” presidential plan. Through this initiative, $15 million was allocated for Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training. As part of this initiative, SAMHSA also awarded $40 million for the development of school district demonstration projects. Nevada was one of 20 states that was awarded the Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resilience Education) grant to increase mental health awareness, early identification, and intervention for youth mental disorders in three rural school districts. The current presentation will review the first three years of Nevada Project AWARE.

Effectiveness of Youth Mental Health First Aid USA for Social Work Students

Purpose: Adolescent mental health is a public health priority. Considered an early intervention approach, Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) trains adults to provide initial assistance to adolescents experiencing a mental health problem or crisis. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the U.S. version of YMHFA (YMHFA-USA) among graduate social work students. Method: A quasi-experimental design ( N = 73; intervention, n = 39; comparison, n = 34), using the Mental Health Beliefs and Literacy Scale, assessed the effectiveness of YMHFA-USA. Outcomes were measured at pretest, posttest, and 5 months in the intervention group. Differences between groups were compared at 5 months. Results: Statistically significant improvements in attitudes, beliefs, self-confidence, and knowledge were observed among intervention group students. At 5 months, these students had significantly better attitudes and greater knowledge and self-confidence than the comparison group. Conclusion: Results indicate YMHFA-USA may improve factors related to master’s level social work students’ abilities to engage with youth experiencing mental health problems.

A pilot cluster randomised controlled trial of a support and training intervention to improve the mental health of secondary school teachers and students - the WISE (Wellbeing in Secondary Education) study.

BackgroundSecondary school teachers are at heightened risk of psychological distress, which can lead to poor work performance, poor quality teacher-student relationships and mental illness. A pilot cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) – the WISE study – evaluated the feasibility of a full-scale RCT of an intervention to support school staff’s own mental health, and train them in supporting student mental health.MethodsSix schools were randomised to an intervention or control group. In the intervention schools i) 8–9 staff received Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training and became staff peer supporters, and ii) youth MHFA training was offered to the wider staff body. Control schools continued with usual practice. We used thematic qualitative data analysis and regression modelling to ascertain the feasibility, acceptability and potential usefulness of the intervention.ResultsThirteen training observations, 14 staff focus groups and 6 staff interviews were completed, and 438 staff (43.5 %) and 1,862 (56.3 %) students (years 8 and 9) completed questionnaires at baseline and one year later. MHFA training was considered relevant for schools, and trainees gained in knowledge, confidence in helping others, and awareness regarding their own mental health. Suggestions for reducing the length of the training and focusing on helping strategies were made. A peer support service was established in all intervention schools and was perceived to be helpful in supporting individuals in difficulty – for example through listening, and signposting to other services - and raising the profile of mental health at a whole school level. Barriers to use included lack of knowledge about the service, concerns about confidentiality and a preference for accessing support from pre-existing networks.ConclusionsThe WISE intervention is feasible and acceptable to schools. Results support the development of a full-scale cluster RCT, if steps are taken to improve response rates and implement the suggested improvements to the intervention.Trial registrationInternational Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number: ISRCTN13255300 retrospectively registered 28/09/16.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3737-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Development of key messages for adolescents on providing basic mental health first aid to peers: a Delphi consensus study

Most young people fail to receive professional treatment for mental disorders; however, they do indicate a preference for sharing problems with peers. This article describes key messages about knowledge and actions to form the basis of a basic mental health first aid (MHFA) course for adolescents to increase recognition of and help seeking for mental health problems by teaching the best knowledge and helping actions a young person can undertake to support a peer with a mental health problem. The Delphi method was used to achieve consensus among Australian and Canadian youth mental health experts regarding the importance of statements that describe helping actions a young person can take, and information they should have, to support a friend with a mental health problem. There were two expert panels, one consisting of 36 youth mental health consumer advocates and the other of 97 Youth MHFA instructors. Panellists rated each statement according to how appropriate it would be as a basic mental health first aid message for both a junior adolescent (12-15 years) and a senior adolescent (16-18 years). Out of 98 statements, 78 were endorsed as key basic MHFA messages for junior adolescents and 81 were endorsed for senior adolescents. The study has identified key messages for adolescents on how they can help a peer. These messages will form the basis of the curriculum for an MHFA course for adolescents, which will aim to facilitate early recognition of and help seeking for mental health problems in adolescents.