Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41140121›Full record

ArticleEuropean psychiatry : the journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists2025

Initial effects of Mental Health First Aid training on mental health literacy, social distance, stigma, mental health, and quality of life in the German adult population - Findings from a pilot study.

Anita Schick, Cirus Henn, Tabea Sarah Send, Simona Maltese, Michael Deuschle, Ulrich Reininghaus

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in European psychiatry : the journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Anita SchickDepartment of Public Mental Health, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, https://ror.org/038t36y30Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-2043-0353
Cirus HennDepartment of Public Mental Health, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, https://ror.org/038t36y30Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.ORCID 0009-0002-6725-901X
Tabea Sarah SendMental Health First Aid Ersthelfer, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, https://ror.org/038t36y30Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-1305-9322
Simona MalteseMental Health First Aid Ersthelfer, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, https://ror.org/038t36y30Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
Michael DeuschleClinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, https://ror.org/038t36y30Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.ORCID 0000-0001-5038-1137
Ulrich ReininghausDepartment of Public Mental Health, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, https://ror.org/038t36y30Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.

Funding

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft 389624707Prof. Otto Beisheim-Stiftung null
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDespite the high prevalence of mental disorders, knowledge about mental health, its promotion, prevention, and pathways to care in the general population remain limited. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) seeks to increase mental health literacy in the general population and enable individuals to support others with mental health problems until professional help is available. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and initial effects of MHFA training on (i) mental health literacy, (ii) stigmatizing attitudes toward individuals with mental health problems, (iii) social distance, (iv) trainees' mental health, and (v) quality of life.

methodsIn an uncontrolled pilot study, individuals aged 18-75 years who participated in MHFA courses in Germany were recruited. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-training, and 6-month follow-up.

resultsIn total, 362 participants (mean age 43 years, 78% female) enrolled in the study at baseline. Retention was about 50% for post-training and 60% for follow-up assessment. At post-training, mental health literacy was increased (

conclusionsOur findings suggest initial beneficial effects of MHFA training as implemented in Germany. A randomized controlled trial of MHFA in Germany is now warranted.

Indexed as

First AidHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHealth LiteracyMental DisordersMental HealthPsychological DistanceQuality of LifeSocial StigmaAdolescentAdultAgedFemaleGermanyHumansMaleMiddle Agedcare pathwayshelp-seekingmental disordermental health trainingservice use

Identifiers

PMID41140121
PMCPMC12646030

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.