Youth Mental Health First Aid Study

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training of Rural Black Church Leaders as a Tool to Improve Mental Health Literacy and Access Study 

Foundation of Hope 2023 Award: $47,275
Adolescent depression, anxiety, and suicide are increasingly evident within rural and Black communities, with suicide as one of the leading causes of death among Black youth. Because the Black Church is seen as a safe space for many rural Black communities, congregational church leaders may serve as trusted adults for youth congregants to receive mental health support. This project will adapt the Youth Mental Health First Aid (Y-MHFA) training for African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church leaders and members in a rural town in North Carolina and assess whether the adapted training is acceptable, feasible, and effective in increasing the capacity of church leaders and congregants to identify, support, and refer youth with mental health challenges. 

Goals and Projected Outcomes 
Results of this 3-year study will inform whether this culturally adapted intervention can feasibly be delivered in this setting and how learning from a trainer with a similar cultural background and inclusion of faith-based adaptations affect comfort, satisfaction, and application of skills. We will also assess whether participants demonstrate improvement in identifying mental illness, increased confidence in assisting someone who needs help, and increased referrals to mental health resources.