Background, development and evidence
Background The Youth Mental Health First Aid course was developed in 2000 at the Centre for Mental Health Research in the Australian National University in Canberra. It was developed by Betty Kitchener (an educator with lived experience of poor mental health) in partnership with Professor Anthony Jorm (a mental health researcher). The aim of the programme was to extend the concept of first aid training to include mental health. This would mean community members were empowered to provide better initial support to people developing poor mental health, living with a diagnosed mental health condition, or in a mental health crisis. The programme was first adopted outside Australia by the Scottish government in 2002 and then in England in 2006. Further details of the international spread of the MHFA programme can be found at the MHFA international website: www.mhfainternational.org Development and evidence The Australian Youth MHFA programme was aimed at adults working or living with young people aged 12—18 years old. The programme has been adopted in other countries, either by a mental health government agency or a non-government mental health organisation. In each case the course was adapted from the MHFA Australia course and reference materials in accordance with a given country’s own culture and health system. The English edition of the Youth MHFA course and materials has been funded and adapted by the MHFA England Community Interest Company. This has been done as part of a national approach to improving awareness of emotional and mental health issues experienced by young people in England. This edition of
Page 14
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker