First aid for peers developing mental health problems.

Associate Professor, Faculty of Education,Art and Science

KAWAI Teruhisa

Research has shown that young people developing mental health problems are more likely to seek help from their family and friends rather than professionals. In other words, for young people with mental health problems and in a crisis, their family and friends may be well placed to take on supporters. This helping behavior provided by non-professionals to those experiencing mental health problems is referred to as Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). We have been investigating the MHFA skills for depressed or anxietied friends among high school and university students, as well as the related factors, using qualitative and quantitative research methods. The findings suggests that it is difficult for young people to accurate recognize signs and symptoms of a depression or anxiety in peers, and young people do not intend to encourage peers to seek an appropriate professional help. Recently, we have been applying our findings to provide education program for high school students, attempting to evaluate the effects, and expanding our research subjects to include high school teachers and parents.

▲Education about First-Aid Behaviors for High School Students.