The peer-reviewed studies conducted show that individuals trained in the program:
Increase their knowledge of signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental health and substance use challenges.
Can identify multiple types of professional and self-help resources for individuals with a mental health or substance use challenge.
Show reduced stigma and increased empathy toward individuals with mental health challenges.
Increase their confidence and likelihood to help an individual in distress.
Use the skills and information they learn in MHFA to manage their own mental wellbeing.
A recent study, reported in the peer-reviewed Journal of School Health, examines the effectiveness of tMHFA among American adolescents. Similar findings have been discovered by researchers from around the world.
How can you use the MHFA U.S.-based Research Summary? This information can help you:
Market your MHFA courses to potential participants.
Pitch the program’s importance to your organization or the organizations you work with.
Support grant applications to secure funding.
Showcase the evidence behind MHFA programs to your local, state and federal policymakers.
Studies of Adult MHFA have found that individuals trained in the program show increased mental health literacy and confidence to help someone in distress.
Youth MHFA
Studies of Youth MHFA have found that individuals trained in the program show increased mental health literacy and confidence to help a young person in distress.
teen Mental Health First Aid
A study of tMHFA on 1,915 teens across 44 high schools found that after the course, teens showed increased endorsement of helpful intentions and decreased endorsement of unhelpful or harmful intentions toward a peer.
MHFA Doctoral Student Grants
Each year, the National Council will provide a one-time award of $5,000 to four outstanding full-time doctoral candidates who demonstrate significant potential as researchers in their fields of study and who are interested in evaluating the outcomes of MHFA trainings in the U.S.
Mental Health First Aid Research Advisors
Mental Health First Aid USA introduced MHFA Research Advisors in 2021. This advisory group consists of respected mental health research experts who advise and assist Mental Health First Aid USA on ongoing research and future opportunities related to individual programs, including Youth MHFA, teen MHFA, MHFA at Work, and MHFA modules (Veterans, Higher Education, Public Safety, Fire and EMS, and Rural Communities.) This group demonstrates an active commitment to fair mental health through their research and community impact.
Learn more about the members of the MHFA Research Advisors.
Dr. David Albright
University of Alabama
Dr. Riana Elyse Anderson
Columbia University
Dr. Bruno Anthony
University of Colorado
Dr. Kimberly Arnold
University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Lisa Curtin
Appalachian State University
Dr. Jodi Frey
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Dr. Madelyn Gould
Columbia University
Dr. Kimberely Gryglewicz
University of Central Florida
Dr. Patricia Haynes
University of Arizona
Dr. Douglas Knutson
Oklahoma State University
Dr. Sarah Ketchen Lipson
Boston University
Dr. Othelia E. Lee
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Dr. Olga Price
George Washington University
Dr. Erika Sabbath
Boston College
Dr. Julie Smith-Yliniemi
University of North Dakota
Dr. Pamela Valera
Rutgers University
Dr. Cixin Wang
University of Maryland – College Park
Dr. Angela Wangari Walter
University of Massachusetts – Lowell
Mental Health First Aid training has taught the officer to ask his charges, “What happened?” instead of, “What’s wrong with you?””–Officer Orlando Singleton
So many people are out there wishing for something better, hoping that help will show up. That’s what Mental Health First Aid is – it is help to get people connected to care and ultimately to get them to a better place.”–Tousha Paxton-Barnes, U.S. Army Veteran
I wish that every corrections officer could receive Mental Health First Aid training. I believe that our corrections system would be better because of it – the inmates would benefit, the officers would benefit and ultimately our communities would benefit.”–Lt. Virgil Meyer, Lieutenant, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
As adults, we sometimes forget how hard it was being an adolescent. When we see a kid who is just miserable at school, we might think they choose to be that way – or that it’s just part of adolescence. But in fact, they might be in a mental health crisis, one they certainly did not choose and do not want.
When a teacher says “how can I be helpful,” that is a powerful question. ”–Alyssa Fruchtenicht, School-Based Mental Health Counselor
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