Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a training that teaches people how to recognize and respond to signs of mental health or substance use challenges. The training covers how to respond to noncrisis and crisis situations and support people in need, whether they’re adults, youth or teens. Over the last decade, extensive research has shown how MHFA improves mental health outcomes across the U.S., transforming workplaces, classrooms, community programs and more.

The Growing Body of MHFA Research in the U.S.

Between 2013 and 2024, 72 peer-reviewed studies on MHFA programs have been published, 59 of which are evaluation studies while 13 are categorized as scoping reviews, systematic reviews or meta-analyses. These studies shed light on the powerful impact of MHFA training, uncovering both strengths and areas to address for future development. The research also highlights the wide range of settings where MHFA programs have been implemented.

Key findings from Adult and Youth MHFA studies

Adult MHFA, which teaches how to recognize signs of mental health or substance use challenges in adults ages 18 and older, has shown to have a profound effect on people across many different sectors, including health care workers, community organizations and military personnel. The research has indicated a similar impact for Youth MHFA, which focuses on training teachers, social workers, parents and other adults who work with young people to recognize and address mental health challenges. Important findings regarding the benefits of both training programs include:

• Improved Mental Health Literacy: Learners have a better understanding of the signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental health and substance use challenges. They are also more familiar with the types of professional resources available to people in distress.
• Increased Confidence and Likelihood to Act: Learners feel better equipped and more confident in their ability to help someone experiencing a mental health crisis or to even seek additional support for themselves. This heightened self-efficacy and understanding of how to practically apply MHFA in everyday interactions increases the likelihood that they’ll act when needed.
  
  This was demonstrated in the research for both programs as learners reported using the skills they acquired in real-life situations, whether it was supporting adults or young people in distress. In one study, 56%-97% of people who had completed Adult MHFA had applied each of the 5 steps of the MHFA Action Plan within the prior six months. Another study demonstrated that Youth Mental Health First Aiders were between 2.7 and 9.8 times more likely to have used each of the MHFA Action Plan steps six months post-training over those in the comparison group.
• Reduced Stigma and Increased Empathy: MHFA fosters greater empathy and understanding toward those with mental health challenges. This training helps reduce the stigma often associated with mental illness, leading to more supportive communities.

teen MHFA outcomes

About five years into the outlined research time frame, in 2018, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing worked with researchers from Johns Hopkins University — with input from teens, mental health experts, educators and MHFA National Trainers — to adapt Australia’s teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) program for U.S. schools. tMHFA teaches teens ages 14-18 how to support a friend or classmate facing a mental health or substance use challenge, including getting assistance from a trusted adult. A 2023 study examining tMHFA’s effectiveness in U.S. schools found several positive outcomes, including:

• Increased Helpful Intentions: Young people who completed the tMHFA program were more likely to express helpful intentions when it came to assisting their peers with mental health challenges.
• Improved Perceptions of Adults: Young people rated adults as more helpful and supportive after participating in the program, highlighting how tMHFA can bridge the gap between teens and trusted adults.
• Reduced Stigmatizing Beliefs: The program helped reduce stigma surrounding mental health, promoting a more accepting attitude toward peers facing mental health challenges.
• Improved Confidence: Young people showed increased confidence in their ability to help peers across a wide range of mental health concerns.

The research on MHFA programs demonstrates the substantial value of this training, not only in terms of mental health literacy but also in building confidence, empathy and practical intervention skills. Whether it’s supporting adults in the workplace or youth in schools, MHFA is proven to help reduce stigma and improve mental health outcomes across the U.S. As the evidence continues to grow, it’s clear that MHFA programs play a critical role in creating healthier, more supportive communities.

Access the full MHFA U.S.-based Research Summary for more information on these studies conducted through .

Participating in MHFA is not just learning a set of skills — it’s joining a movement to create more understanding, compassionate and resilient communities. If you’re interested in making a difference, sign up for a MHFA course today.