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Effectiveness of mental health first aid training for nursing students in northwestern China: a quasi-experimental
Shadiyemu Tuerxun1, Xi Chen2, Mingzhe Wu1
1School of Nursing, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
Background:
Mental health first aid (MHFA) is an internationally recognized training program that equips participants with skills to recognize and respond to individuals experiencing mental health problems. However, evidence on the effectiveness of MHFA training among nursing students in mainland China remains limited.
Objectives:
To evaluate the longitudinal effects of MHFA training on mental health literacy, self-stigma of seeking help, psychological well-being, and self-efficacy among nursing students.
Design:
A single-group quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study.
Setting:
A school of nursing at a university in northwestern China.
Participants:
Forty-nine nursing students were recruited and provided informed consent.
Methods:
Participants received a 3-day face-to-face MHFA training program. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention, 1-month follow-up, and 3-month follow-up using validated scales. Linear mixed models were used to examine longitudinal changes, with time as a fixed effect and participant as a random intercept.
Results:
Self-efficacy significantly improved from baseline to post-intervention (p = 0.006). Mental health literacy showed a non-significant increase post-intervention and significantly declined from post-intervention to the 3-month follow-up (p = 0.006). MHFA knowledge scores decreased continuously during the follow-up period, with a significant difference between post-intervention and the 3-month follow-up (p = 0.019). No significant changes were observed in self-stigma of seeking help or psychological well-being across time points.
Conclusion:
The 3-day MHFA training was associated with a significant increase in nursing students' self-efficacy, but its impact on mental health literacy, self-stigma, and psychological well-being was limited. A modest but statistically significant decline in knowledge scores was observed during the follow-up period, suggesting the need for regular reinforcement. Integrating a localized MHFA program into nursing curricula may help strengthen students' confidence in providing mental health support.