Abstract
Aim
Promoting mental health and preventing ill mental health are worldwide concerns, with many personal and societal implications. While there are different initiatives to reduce stigma and discrimination, and prevent and treat mental health, the initiatives appear to fall short. This short communication situates the problems around mental health, after and during higher education years, and reviews Mental Health First Aid Training and its potential in university contexts through peer support schemes.
Subjects and methods
Literature on (1) Mental Health First Aid Training and (2) peer support in higher education was explored separately and in association.
Results
Reviewing the literature revealed that the association between Mental Health First Aid Training and peer support did not exist in academic literature, deterring a potential interposition of greater public health.
Conclusion
The article describes a radical and innovative way to enhance mental health across cultures and societies and collectively through universities to impact mental health positively for current and future generations.
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Mantzios, M. Mental health first aid and exciting opportunities for peer-support networks within universities with prospects of influencing public health and treatment. J Public Health (Berl.) 28, 219–221 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-019-01057-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-019-01057-5