title: Effectiveness of Mental Health First Aid training in Denmark: a randomized trial in waitlist design.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effect of the Australian educational intervention Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) in a Danish context. Primary outcome was improvement concerning confidence in help-giving behavior towards people suffering from mental illness. Secondary outcomes were increased knowledge and ability to recognize mental illness and improved positive attitudes towards people suffering from mental health problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study design was a randomized trial with a waitlist control group. The intervention group was compared with the control group at 6-month follow-up. Both groups completed at baseline and at 6-month follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant difference was found between employees trained in the intervention group compared to the control group at 6-month follow-up on the items of confidence in making contact to (Cohen's d 0.17), talking to (Cohen's d 0.18) and providing help to (Cohen's d 0.31) people suffering from a mental health illness. Further, participants improved in knowledge (Cohen's d depression vignette 0.40/Cohen's d schizophrenia vignette 0.32) and in the ability to recognize schizophrenia OR = 1.75 (95 % CI 1.00-3.05), p = 0.05. A significant difference between the intervention group and control group at follow-up concerning actual help offered was not found. Changes in attitudes were limited.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MHFA training was effective in a Danish context.
authors.affiliation: Copenhagen University Hospital, Research Unit, Mental Health Centre, Capital Region of Denmark, Kildegårdsvej 28, entrance 15, 4th floor, 2900, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Kamilla B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.affiliation: Copenhagen University Hospital, Research Unit, Mental Health Centre, Capital Region of Denmark, Kildegårdsvej 28, entrance 15, 4th floor, 2900, Copenhagen, Denmark. britt.reuter.morthorst@regionh.dk.
authors.forename: Britt Reuter
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Morthorst
authors.affiliation: Danish Mental Health Foundation, Hejrevej 43, 2400, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Per B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Vendsborg
authors.affiliation: Copenhagen University Hospital, Research Unit, Mental Health Centre, Capital Region of Denmark, Kildegårdsvej 28, entrance 15, 4th floor, 2900, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hjorthøj
authors.affiliation: Copenhagen University Hospital, Research Unit, Mental Health Centre, Capital Region of Denmark, Kildegårdsvej 28, entrance 15, 4th floor, 2900, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Merete
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nordentoft
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D005392:First Aid; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008603:Mental Health / Q000193:education*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D014850:Waiting Lists
keywords: Educational training program; Mental Health First Aid; Mental health; Randomized trial
references.citation: Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2006 Jan;40(1):6-8
references.pmid: 16403032
references.citation: Bull World Health Organ. 2004 Nov;82(11):858-66
references.pmid: 15640922
references.citation: BMJ. 2008 Mar 15;336(7644):601-5
references.pmid: 18316340
references.citation: Br J Psychiatry. 2013 Aug;203(2):146-51
references.pmid: 23787060
references.citation: Int J Ment Health Syst. 2009 Jun 03;3(1):10
references.pmid: 19490648
references.citation: Int Rev Psychiatry. 2014 Aug;26(4):467-75
references.pmid: 25137113
references.citation: JAMA Psychiatry. 2014 May;71(5):573-81
references.pmid: 24806211
references.citation: PLoS One. 2014 Jun 25;9(6):e100911
references.pmid: 24964164
references.citation: Psychiatr Serv. 2011 Jun;62(6):675-8
references.pmid: 21632739
references.citation: Int J Ment Health Syst. 2008 Apr 13;2(1):3
references.pmid: 18405393
references.citation: BMC Psychiatry. 2004 Aug 15;4:23
references.pmid: 15310395
references.citation: BMC Psychiatry. 2002 Oct 01;2:10
references.pmid: 12359045