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Effect of Mental Health First-Aid Training on Mental Health Literacy among University Students in Nigeria

Abstract

Mental health problems are an important public health concern among young adults and may affect academic performance, social relationships, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. University students may experience academic pressure, financial difficulties, social challenges, relationship problems, substance use, and other stressors that may increase their vulnerability to mental health difficulties. However, limited knowledge of mental health conditions, misconceptions, stigma, and inadequate awareness of available support services may prevent students from recognizing symptoms and seeking appropriate assistance. Mental Health First Aid training provides an opportunity to equip students with knowledge and practical skills to recognize emerging mental health problems, provide initial supportive assistance, respond appropriately to mental health crises, and facilitate referral to professional services. Against this background, this study investigates the effect of Mental Health First Aid training on mental health literacy among university students in Nigeria. The study will be anchored on the Health Belief Model, Social Cognitive Theory, and Health Literacy Framework. The Health Belief Model explains how students' perceptions of mental health problems, perceived severity, perceived benefits of seeking help, perceived barriers, and cues to action may influence their mental health literacy and help-seeking intentions. Social Cognitive Theory emphasizes observational learning, self-efficacy, social interaction, behavioural reinforcement, and environmental influences in the acquisition and application of mental health knowledge. The Health Literacy Framework emphasizes students' ability to access, understand, evaluate, and apply mental health information when recognizing symptoms and making decisions about appropriate support. Collectively, these theoretical perspectives provide a suitable framework for explaining how Mental Health First Aid training may influence mental health literacy among university students in Nigeria. The study will adopt a quantitative quasi-experimental or analytical cross-sectional research design. The study population will comprise undergraduate students enrolled in selected public and private universities across Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique will be used to select geopolitical zones, states, universities, faculties or departments, and eligible students. Mental Health First Aid training will be assessed using indicators such as exposure to structured training, duration and frequency of training, recognition of common mental health conditions, identification of warning signs, appropriate supportive communication, crisis response principles, stigma reduction, suicide-alert awareness, referral procedures, available mental health services, and confidence in providing initial support. Mental health literacy will be assessed using indicators such as knowledge of common mental health conditions, recognition of symptoms, understanding of risk and protective factors, awareness of treatment and recovery options, knowledge of professional and community support services, understanding of stigma, ability to identify mental health crises, and knowledge of appropriate help-seeking pathways. Data will be collected using structured questionnaires, validated mental health literacy instruments, Mental Health First Aid knowledge assessments, training attendance records, and relevant university health-service documents. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize participants' characteristics, exposure to Mental Health First Aid training, and levels of mental health literacy. Inferential statistical techniques, including chi-square tests, t-tests, correlation analysis, and logistic or multiple regression analysis where appropriate, will be used to determine the effect of Mental Health First Aid training on mental health literacy. Where a quasi-experimental design is adopted, mental health literacy scores before and after the training intervention may be compared to determine changes associated with the programme. Diagnostic tests will also be conducted to assess the reliability, validity, and robustness of the findings. The study is expected to find that Mental Health First Aid training has a significant positive effect on mental health literacy among university students in Nigeria. Students who receive structured training are expected to demonstrate improved ability to recognize signs and symptoms of common mental health problems, understand appropriate sources of professional support, respond appropriately to mental health crises, and distinguish mental health conditions from common misconceptions. Training may also improve students' confidence in communicating with peers experiencing mental health difficulties and increase awareness of available counselling and healthcare services. Practical scenarios, role-play, interactive discussions, and repeated reinforcement may strengthen students' ability to apply mental health information in real-life situations. However, stigma, cultural beliefs, misconceptions about mental illness, fear of being judged, limited availability of university mental health services, and concerns about confidentiality may continue to affect students' understanding and willingness to engage with mental health support. The study therefore expects accessible, culturally appropriate, practical, and regularly reinforced Mental Health First Aid training to contribute significantly to improved mental health literacy among university students in Nigeria. The study is expected to contribute to the literature on Mental Health First Aid training, mental health literacy, university student health, mental health promotion, stigma reduction, psychological well-being, health education, and public health in Nigeria. The findings will provide useful information to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Education, universities, university counselling centres, student health services, mental health professionals, public health educators, student organizations, development partners, and policymakers regarding strategies for strengthening mental health promotion among young adults. The study will also provide evidence-based recommendations for integrating Mental Health First Aid training into university health and student-support programmes, strengthening peer-support initiatives, improving mental health education, increasing awareness of counselling and professional services, reducing mental health stigma, and developing sustainable campus-based mental health promotion programmes across Nigeria.

Keywords: Mental Health First Aid training, mental health literacy, university students, mental health education, mental health promotion, mental illness awareness, stigma reduction, help-seeking, student health, Nigeria, public health.