Claire Kelly|Johanna Mithen|Julie A Fischer|Betty A. Kitchener|Anthony F. Jorm|Adrian J. Lowe|Chris Scanlan
Youth mental health first aid: a description of the program and an initial evaluation
Orygen Youth Health|University of Melbourne|University of Melbourne|Orygen Youth Health|University of Melbourne|Orygen Youth Health|University of Melbourne|Orygen Youth Health|University of Melbourne|University of Melbourne|Orygen Youth Health|University of Melbourne
adolescence peak age onset mental illness half people ever mental illness experiencing first episode prior 18 years age early onset mental illness significant predictor future episodes however adolescents young adults less likely population whole either seek receive treatment mental illness knowledge attitudes adults adolescents life may affect whether help sought quickly 2007 youth mental health first aid program launched australia aim teach adults work care adolescents skills needed recognise early signs mental illness identify potential mental healthrelated crises assist adolescents get help need early possible paper provides description program initial evaluation outline future directions program evaluated two ways first uncontrolled trial 246 adult members australian public completed questionnaires immediately attending 14 hour course one month later six months later outcome measures recognition schizophrenia depression intention offer confidence offering assistance stigmatising attitudes knowledge adolescent mental health problems also mental health first aid action plan second method evaluation track uptake program including number instructors trained across australia deliver course number courses delivered uptake ymhfa program countries uncontrolled trial found improvements recognition schizophrenia confidence offering help stigmatising attitudes knowledge adolescent mental health problems application mental health first aid action plan results maintained followup first 3 years program total 318 instructors trained deliver course instructors delivered courses 10686 people across states territories australia program also spread canada singapore england spread hong kong sweden china near future initial evaluation suggests youth mental health first aid course improves participants knowledge attitudes helping behaviour program spread successfully nationally internationally actrn12609000033246