Laura Hart|Anthony F. Jorm|Susan J. Paxton
Mental health first aid for eating disorders: pilot evaluation of a training program for the public
University of Melbourne|University of Melbourne|La Trobe University
eating disorders cause significant burden may reduced early appropriate helpseeking however despite availability effective treatments individuals eating disorders seek treatment training mental health first aid known effective increasing mental health literacy supportive behaviours social networks individuals mental health problems increases domains thought improve likelihood effective help sought however efficacy mental health first aid eating disorders evaluated aim research examine whether specific training mental health first aid eating disorders effective changing knowledge attitudes behaviours towards people eating disordersa repeated measures uncontrolled trial conducted establish proof concept provide guidance future design randomised controlled trial selfreport questionnaires administered baseline posttraining 6month followup assessed effectiveness 4hour single session mental health first aid training73 participants completed training questionnaires training intervention associated statistically significant increases problem recognition knowledge appropriate mental health first aid strategies maintained 6month followup sustained significant changes attitudes behaviours less clear 20 participants reported providing assistance someone suspected eating disorder seven sought professional help result first aid interaction results provided evidence negative impact participants individuals provided assistance tothis research provides preliminary evidence use training mental health first aid suitable intervention increasing community knowledge support people eating disorders seek appropriate helpaustralian new zealand clinical trials registry actrn12611001181998