MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID (MHFA) EVALUATION
Executive Steering Committee Summary
The Drexel University School of Public Health’s Department of Community Health and
Prevention is conducting the evaluation of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for the Department
of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS).
Starting in the winter 2014, the evaluation will consist of two monthly on-line surveys of all First
Aiders. One survey will be offered at 3 months after each First Aider’s MHFA training, and a
second survey will be offered at 6 months. The evaluation will also include a limited number of
key informant interviews and focus groups with instructors at the quarterly collaborative
meetings.
A pilot survey was conducted in August 2013 of Faith-Based and Public Safety First Aiders who
had been trained six or more months earlier. This survey was sent to approximately 500 First
Aiders. Twenty-nine (29) First Aiders responded resulting in an approximate six percent
response rate. A second one-time version of that pilot survey was sent December 10, 2013 to
all First Aiders trained prior to May 31, 2013 to make sure everyone in the first cohort of MHFA
trainees is invited to participate in the evaluation.
The on-line surveys are designed to accomplish several objectives:
o Learn about First Aiders use of and confidence applying ALGEE
o Learn about First Aiders application of MHFA, including who they have helped and how
often
o Learn about First Aiders referrals to professional, community and peer supports and
web-based and informational resources.
o Learn about changes in First Aiders’ attitudes associated with stigma and social distance
o Gather First Aiders’ stories about using Mental Health First Aid
Preliminary findings from the first pilot survey (August 2013) indicated that:
o Sixty‐one per cent (61%) of responding First Aiders reported using ALGEE and having
high levels of confidence applying ALGEE
o Fifty‐five and a half percent (55.5%) of responding First Aiders reported that they had
used MHFA six or more times since taking the training six or more months earlier
o Responses indicated many applications of MHFA in work environments and referrals to
professional help, particularly mental health professionals and crisis response centers.
o Fifty-four (54.5%) reported applying MHFA with people served through their workplace.
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