Culturally Appropriate Approach to Improving Health Outcomes

Background

Despite the positive policy and health system contexts, there are not enough trained mental health professionals to provide professional care for mental disorders in MICs such as China and Sri Lanka, requiring the training of non-specialists to identify and assist in managing people with mental health problems in order to improve adherence to treatment and clinical outcomes, provide social support and encourage appropriate self-help behaviours. Strategies to encourage affected individuals to seek help for mental health problems (including non-professional support, social support and appropriate self-help) are also needed. Active engagement with local communities in order to promote service user leadership and to ensure that programs are culturally appropriate is essential to improving outcomes.

MHFA has an established track record in HICs of improving knowledge, attitudes and behaviours in relation to people with mental health problems. Moreover, its implementation model has led to rapid expansion and global sustainability. However, appropriateness of course content and implementation models in MICs is unknown and is a barrier to the potential role of MHFA in reducing the burden of mental disorders in MICs.

Aims

1. Develop a culturally appropriate Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training program for China and Sri Lanka

2. Trial the effectiveness of this training in improving participant MHFA knowledge and skills

3. Develop suitable implementation models for sustainable MHFA training in China and Sri Lanka.

Project plan

The objectives for achieving these aims are as follows:

1. Identify priority skill areas needed for a mental health first aider in middle income countries (MICs) in Asia;

2. Develop MHFA guidelines to cover the priority skill areas for MICs in Asia;

3. Conduct qualitative research and cost studies to inform the most appropriate implementation models for sustainable MHFA training in China and Sri Lanka;

4. Develop culturally appropriate MHFA training based on adaptations of the MIC guidelines;

5. Conduct feasibility trials of the newly-developed MHFA training in Sri Lanka and China;

6. Conduct randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of MHFA training in Sri Lanka and China. Hypothesis 1. MHFA training tailored to Sri Lanka and China will improve mental health first aid knowledge, reduce stigmatizing attitudes, increase intentions to provide support, confidence in providing support, and increase supportive behaviours towards people with mental health problems.

Funding organisations

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