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A pilot study of Brazilian-adapted MHFA-informed program
K N Mendes1, S Scotti Requena2, A A Loch1
1Laboratory of Neuroscience (LIM-27), Institute of Psychiatry, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
|August 6, 2026
Summary
A pilot study found a Brazilian-adapted Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program feasible and culturally applicable in workplaces. While no significant group differences emerged, both intervention and control groups improved, suggesting potential for psychoeducational interventions to boost mental health literacy.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Mental Health Interventions
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Mental disorders pose a significant global health burden, with substantial treatment gaps in low- and middle-income countries like Brazil.
- Educational programs, such as Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), aim to enhance mental health literacy and reduce stigma among the general population.
- Culturally adapted interventions are crucial for addressing mental health challenges in diverse socioeconomic contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility, cultural applicability, and preliminary outcomes of a Brazilian-adapted MHFA-informed psychoeducational program.
- To assess the program's impact on attitudes toward mental illness and perceived stigma among employees in Brazilian workplaces.
- To explore the potential of culturally tailored interventions in improving mental health awareness and reducing stigma.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving 124 employees from three workplaces in Brazil, allocated to an intervention or control group.
- The intervention group received a five-session, Brazilian-adapted MHFA-informed program; the control group received standard educational materials.
- Outcomes, including attitudes toward mental illness (EMO-56) and perceived stigma (PDDQ), were assessed at baseline and post-intervention.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in outcomes were observed between the intervention and control groups.
- Both groups demonstrated significant improvements over time, particularly in the Policy and Structural Assistance dimension (p<0.001).
- Higher baseline knowledge and self-reported mental illness were associated with greater positive changes in attitudes and stigma.
Conclusions:
- The Brazilian-adapted MHFA-informed program demonstrated feasibility and cultural applicability in a workplace setting.
- Culturally adapted psychoeducational interventions show promise for enhancing mental health knowledge and reducing stigma in Brazil.
- Further controlled studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm the efficacy of these interventions.
