Mental Health First Aid Knowledge among Students in Lithuania

Aim: Mental health disorders are prevalent worldwide among young people, posing a significant burden on individuals and societies. Despite this, mental health care services remain insufficiently resourced and underutilised, with many individuals not receiving appropriate care. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training aims to improve mental health literacy and support for individuals experiencing mental health problems. Our study aimed to investigate MHFA knowledge of young adults studying in Lithuania, focusing on their ability to provide first aid to individuals with mental health issues. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted online among 18-29-year-old students from universities, colleges, and vocational schools in the three biggest Lithuanian cities. The questionnaire assessed the ability to recognise mental disorders described in the vignettes, personal experience, and knowledge about the ways to assist someone with mental health problems. 1469 respondents were included in the final analysis. Results: The average MHFA score (referred to as the mnemonic ALGEE later in the text) was poor – 1.74 out of 5 points. Encouraging professional help-seeking and providing emotional support were the most common actions suggested by participants. Correct identification of the disorder and personal experience correlated with higher scores. Conclusion: The study underscores the need to address MHFA competencies among young people in Lithuania, proposing the integration of MHFA courses into educational programmes to enhance mental health literacy and support. Further research is recommended to evaluate the effectiveness of these programmes in the population.