Researchers in Canberra have set up a first aid course in mental health to raise public awareness of mental health issues.
"The aim is to help people recognise the early warning signals of mental illness and to know how they can help in these early stages," explains Betty Kitchener, of the Australian National University's centre for mental health research.
A survey evaluation of the course published this month in BMC Psychiatry (2002;2:10) reports that the first 210 trainees felt they better understood mental health issues and were more confident in helping someone with mental illness.
The scheme, set up by Kitchener in February 2002, was government funded initially but has been run on a fee for service basis since July. More than 1500 people, including teachers, police, and personnel staff, have now been through the course, and there are plans to extend it throughout Australia over the next two years.
The course consists of three sessions of three hours each. Participants train in mental health crisis situations, such as suicidal behaviour and panic attacks, and in long term mental health problems, such as depression and substance misuse. However, as in conventional first aid courses, training does not include diagnosis or treatment.
According to Kitchener, poor understanding among the public of mental health means that stigma is still widespread in Australia. "This stops those in need from seeking help or staying with a recommended treatment," she says.
In the United Kingdom Dr Evan Harris, Liberal Democrat health spokesman, told the BMJ that if the course showed a real impact on public health in Australia, there might be grounds for government investment to train specific target groups, such as schoolteachers, in a mental health first aid course in Britain.
More information on the course is available at http://www.mhfa.com.auwww.mhfa.com.au