The Effectiveness of Online Mental Health First Aid Training in Community Rugby: A Mixed-Methods Approach

Suzanna Russell; Vincent G Kelly; Remco Polman; Matthew Warren-James

doi:10.3390/ijerph20075391

Back

The Effectiveness of Online Mental Health First Aid Training in Community Rugby: A Mixed-Methods Approach

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

The Effectiveness of Online Mental Health First Aid Training in Community Rugby: A Mixed-Methods Approach

Suzanna Russell, Vincent G Kelly, Remco Polman and Matthew Warren-James

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol.20(7), pp.1-12

2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20075391

PMCID: PMC10094660

PMID: 37048006

Files and links (2)

pdf

ijerph-20-05391752.33 kBDownload View

Published Version Open Access CC BY V4.0

url

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20075391View

Published Version

Abstract

mental health liteacy

mental heath training

mental health awareness

early identification

Mental Health First Aid

sport

rugby

community

stigma

symptoms

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training exists to improve supportive behaviours towards peers, increase mental health literacy, and reduce stigma. Community sport clubs have potential to successfully deliver mental health programs. This study investigated the effectiveness of online MHFA training undertaken by members of the rugby community and evaluated the feasibility and usefulness of the online delivery mode and users’ engagement with it. A mixed-methods approach was used to provide depth of understanding through qualitative analysis, combined with quantitative outcomes. Online surveys examining participants’ knowledge and perceptions were administered pre- and post-MHFA training. Significant improvements (p < 0.05) across all assessed domains were observed post- compared to pre-MHFA training. A large effect size was identified in relation to advice giving and sign and symptom identification. A moderate effect size pre- to post-improvement was identified for users’ perceptions of therapy’s effectiveness, the ability of people with severe mental health conditions to recover, and benefit of a healthcare professional. Participants endorsed the MHFA program to improve mental health literacy, advance non-technical skills, and improve confidence. MHFA training can increase the awareness and knowledge of mental health issues in key individuals in community sport clubs and enable them to aid people with mental health concerns. Online MHFA training is associated with improved mental health literacy and may be a suitable and economically sustainable model for community sport.

Details

Title: The Effectiveness of Online Mental Health First Aid Training in Community Rugby: A Mixed-Methods Approach
Authors: Suzanna Russell (Corresponding Author) - Australian Catholic University
Vincent G Kelly (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Remco Polman (Author) - Federation University
Matthew Warren-James (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Paramedicine
Publication details: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol.20(7), pp.1-12
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date published: 2023
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20075391
ISSN: 1660-4601
PMID: 37048006; PMC10094660
Copyright note: © 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Grant note: This work was supported by a funding agreement between the Queensland Mental Health Commission (QMHC) and Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) in partnership with the suicide prevention group Rugby Unite for delivery of the MHFA training. The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, or publication of this article.
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Nursing; School of Health - Paramedicine
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99717597502621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

12 File views/ downloads

129 Record Views