Evaluation of the mental health first aid program in undergraduate nursing students

Abstract

Background: The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA®) educational program has the potential to increase mental health literacy, reduce personal stigma, and empower individuals for their mental health. Objective: To evaluate the impact of MHFA training program in undergraduate nursing students. Methodology: Pre-experimental study, with a single group design, pre-and post-intervention assessment, applied to a sample of 46 undergraduate nursing students. The Questionnaire for Assessment of Mental Health Literacy was applied as a data collection tool. The data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS V24.0 and G-Power 3.1 software programs. Results: At the end of the program, students showed an improvement in all components of mental health literacy about depression, increasing their confidence to provide first aid. Conclusion: The program proves to be an adequate tool for increasing the mental health literacy of nursing students.