Abstract
This article responds to concerns Happell, Wilson and McNamara (2015) have raised
about the role of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training in undergraduate mental
health nursing education in Australia. MHFA training was developed in Australia to
improve the capacity of members of the public to provide initial help to a person
with a mental health problem or in a crisis. In 2012, the Australian government provided
funding for MHFA training of frontline workers, including nursing students. From mid
2012-mid 2016, over 15,728 nursing students received the training. An evaluation study
found positive effects on intentions to provide MHFA and confidence in helping a peer,
improvements in MHFA knowledge and a reduction in stigma. Contrary to Happell, Wilson
and McNamara’s concerns that MHFA training will become part of the core nursing curriculum
at the expense of mental health nursing content, MHFA training is primarily aimed
at peer support. The program has been standardized to preserve fidelity and quality,
and the curriculum content follows an evidence-based rather than medical model. We
agree with Happell and colleagues that MHFA training would be a valuable prerequisite
to nursing education, but that it is not sufficient for professional training.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 10, 2016
Accepted:
June 15,
2016
Received in revised form:
June 4,
2016
Received:
February 3,
2016
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Australian College of Nursing Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
