Mental Health First Aid Training as a Wellness Initiative for First Year Medical Students

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Mental Health Interventions
• Wellness Training

Background:

• Medical education faces challenges in addressing student mental health concerns.
• Stigma and isolation can deter students from seeking help, impacting intervention effectiveness.
• A standardized wellness training addressing mental health stigma was proposed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and reception of a standardized wellness training for medical students.
• To evaluate a program that addresses mental health stigma and provides supportive interventions.
• To determine if such training is well-received by medical students.

Main Methods:

• Implemented Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for first-year medical students.
• Utilized an empirically based program with peer support and recovery models.
• Collected data through exit surveys assessing perceptions and benefits of the training.

Main Results:

• 89 of 170 students completed the post-training survey.
• 81.6% would take another MHFA course; 96.6% found it relevant.
• 71% felt better prepared professionally; 22.6% identified with mental health experiences.

Conclusions:

• Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a well-received intervention for medical students.
• The training provides tangible wellness tools and helps reduce mental health stigma.
• MHFA demonstrates feasibility and positive reception within medical education settings.