Mental health literacy training for employees in cooperative extension: a qualitative program evaluation

Purpose This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of participating in a brief three-part mental health literacy (MHL) training, the Mental Health Awareness and Advocacy (MHAA) training among employees in cooperative extension. Design/methodology/approach The authors used a case study research approach for program evaluation to understand the outcomes of participating in a brief three-part mental health literacy training, the Mental Health Awareness and Advocacy training. Participants were eight individuals who completed all three parts of the training and consented to participate in semi-structured interviews. The authors used knowledge, self-efficacy and behavior as the theory-informed analytic framework, the authors also engaged in inductive coding to examine other salient areas as discussed by participants. Findings All participants reported meaningful increases in knowledge, self-efficacy and covert (non-observable) behavior changes, while some reported overt (observable) behavior changes. Originality/value The current study used a case study research approach for program evaluation to understand the outcomes of participating in a brief three-part mental health literacy (MHL) training, the Mental Health Awareness and Advocacy (MHAA) training. While previous quantitative research on MHAA programming have documented significant increases in knowledge and self-efficacy, quantitative analyses have largely failed to identify significant behavioral changes. The qualitative methods used in the current study were valuable in identifying behavioral indicators of MHL that may help refine evaluation of behavioral changes following MHL programming.