Mental Health First Aid training for Australian financial counsellors: An evaluation study

Abstract

There is a significant link between financial difficulties and mental health problems. Those with financial difficulties and mental health problems may be more willing to seek help for financial difficulties than for mental health problems. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine if Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training is effective in improving financial counsellors' ability to recognise mental health problems in clients and appropriately support them to get help. Between December 2013 and July 2014, financial counsellors (n = 113) completed either face-to-face or online MHFA training and pre- and post-course surveys measuring MHFA intentions, mental health literacy and stigmatising attitudes. Results showed that MHFA training improved first aid intentions, mental health literacy and confidence in providing help, and reduced stigmatising attitudes. The findings suggest that financial counsellors are in a good position to support clients with mental health problems to get appropriate care and moreover, that MHFA is an appropriate form of training for them.

Keywords:

• financial difficulties
• mental health problems
• financial counsellors
• Mental Health First Aid

Acknowledgements

This research was funded through a grant from the Australian Government Department of Health. We wish to thank the MHFA instructors who graciously gave their time to help us recruit participants.

Declaration of Conflicting Interests

The authors declare that they have no conflicting interests.