Citation

Lipson SK, Speer N, Brunwasser S, Hahn E, Eisenberg D. J. Adolesc. Health 2014; 55(5): 612-619.

Affiliation

Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Electronic address: daneis@umich.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jadohealth.2014.05.009

PMID

25043834

Abstract

PURPOSE: Gatekeeper training (GKT) programs are an increasingly popular approach to addressing access to mental health care in adolescent and young adult populations. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a widely used GKT program, Mental Health First Aid, in college student populations.

METHODS: A randomized control trial was conducted on 32 colleges and universities between 2009 and 2011. Campus residence halls were assigned to the intervention (Mental Health First Aid plus pre-existing trainings) or control condition (pre-existing trainings only) using matched pair randomization. The trainings were delivered to resident advisors (RAs). Outcome measures include service utilization, knowledge and attitudes about services, self-efficacy, intervention behaviors, and mental health symptoms. Data come from two sources: (1) surveys completed by the students (resident advisors and residents; N = 2,543), 2-3 months pre- and post-intervention; and (2) utilization records from campus mental health centers, aggregated by residence.

RESULTS: The training increases trainees' self-perceived knowledge (regression-adjusted effect size [ES] =.38, p <.001), self-perceived ability to identify students in distress (ES =.19, p =.01), and confidence to help (ES =.17, p =.04). There are no apparent effects, however, on utilization of mental health care in the student communities in which the trainees live.

CONCLUSIONS: Although GKT programs are widely used to increase access to mental health care, these programs may require modifications to achieve their objectives.

Language: en