Using mental health first aid to promote mental health in churches

ABSTRACT Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based intervention to increase knowledge about mental illness and self-efficacy in addressing mental health problems. This pilot study explored the implementation of MHFA for members and leaders of Christian church congregations. Twenty-seven church members completed the 8-hour manualized training. A preintervention and postintervention survey design was used, and results revealed significant improvement in mean scores for knowledge, beliefs, self-efficacy, and stigma following the training. These results suggest that MHFA is a promising intervention for congregants and may help address an existing gap in supportive services for individuals with mental and emotional health problems.