The MHFA course has been thoroughly evaluated in Australia using randomized controlled trials and a qualitative study and been found to be effective at:
- Improving the course participants’ knowledge of mental disorders.
- Reducing stigma.
- Increasing the amount of help provided to others.
Evaluation of the MHFA Canada Course
MHFA Canada is conducting thorough program evaluations and is finalizing the evaluation tools to measure changes in knowledge about mental health problems, changes in stigmatizing attitudes, and changes in helping behaviors. MHFA Canada is adapted from the MHFA courses developed in Australia and Scotland. Evaluation results from Australia are available online at www.mhfa.com.au/evaluation.shtml
A pilot evaluation that tested the methodology on 199 instructor trainees was completed in December 2008. The findings add supportive evidence to the excellent work that this program is accomplishing.
The overall scope of evaluating the MHFA Canada program is quite broad. The evaluation framework also covers topics such as the acceptability of the program, how easily it is accessed, and whether it is effective. One aspect of determining whether MHFA is acceptable is based on the perception of the participants who take the 12 hour course.
Selected Findings from the MHFA Canada Evaluation for the Course Instruction Period: November 2006 - June 2007
A Quasi-experimental Studyof Mental Health First Aid Training - Manitoba Community & Youth Corrections, August 2009
Increasing Mental Health Literacy among Student Affairs Staff: Assessing Mental Health First Aid Queens University, 2010
Evaluation of the Mental Health First Aid Training in Frist Nations Communities in Alberta, May 2010
Mental Health Literacy: Empowering the Community to Take Action for Better Mental Health, October 2011
Evaluation of the Mental Health First Aid Training Course in Wales, November 2011