Mental Health Literacy Prevents Suicide in Teens
Mental
health training programs for teenagers can help reduce the incidence of
suicides according to a study done by researchers at University of Melbourne.
It was observed that students who underwent teen Mental Health First Aid
(tMHFA) were 35 times more likely to report adequate suicide first aid than
those who didn't get such training. Results suggested that student knowledge of
the general warning signs of mental health problems and confidence to offer
support was more important than having specific knowledge of suicide - calling
into question suicide specific education programs in schools. The results were
based on survey data of 800 students who had participated in the 3 x75 minute
class-room based programme. University of Melbourne Senior Research Fellow
Laura Hart said the findings demonstrate the importance of embedding
suicide-prevention information within general mental health programs in schools
and increasing peer support and discussion opportunities.
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