{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,13]],"date-time":"2026-10-13T11:39:51Z","timestamp":1791891591476,"version":"4.3.4"},"reference-count":34,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,24]],"date-time":"2026-08-24T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1787529600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Med."],"abstract":"\n Background<\/jats:title>\n Mental health first aid (MHFA) is an internationally recognized training program that equips participants with skills to recognize and respond to individuals experiencing mental health problems. However, evidence on the effectiveness of MHFA training among nursing students in mainland China remains limited.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Objectives<\/jats:title>\n To evaluate the longitudinal effects of MHFA training on mental health literacy, self-stigma of seeking help, psychological well-being, and self-efficacy among nursing students.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Design<\/jats:title>\n A single-group quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Setting<\/jats:title>\n A school of nursing at a university in northwestern China.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Participants<\/jats:title>\n Forty-nine nursing students were recruited and provided informed consent.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Methods<\/jats:title>\n Participants received a 3-day face-to-face MHFA training program. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention, 1-month follow-up, and 3-month follow-up using validated scales. Linear mixed models were used to examine longitudinal changes, with time as a fixed effect and participant as a random intercept.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Results<\/jats:title>\n \n Self-efficacy significantly improved from baseline to post-intervention (\n p<\/jats:italic>\n \u202f=\u202f0.006). Mental health literacy showed a non-significant increase post-intervention and significantly declined from post-intervention to the 3-month follow-up (\n p<\/jats:italic>\n \u202f=\u202f0.006). MHFA knowledge scores decreased continuously during the follow-up period, with a significant difference between post-intervention and the 3-month follow-up (\n p<\/jats:italic>\n \u202f=\u202f0.019). No significant changes were observed in self-stigma of seeking help or psychological well-being across time points.\n <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n The 3-day MHFA training was associated with a significant increase in nursing students\u2019 self-efficacy, but its impact on mental health literacy, self-stigma, and psychological well-being was limited. A modest but statistically significant decline in knowledge scores was observed during the follow-up period, suggesting the need for regular reinforcement. Integrating a localized MHFA program into nursing curricula may help strengthen students\u2019 confidence in providing mental health support.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fmed.2026.1907730","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,24]],"date-time":"2026-08-24T04:24:41Z","timestamp":1787545481000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Effectiveness of mental health first aid training for nursing students in northwestern China: a quasi-experimental study"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Shadiyemu","family":"Tuerxun","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Nursing, Lanzhou University","place":["Lanzhou, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Xi","family":"Chen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University","place":["Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mingzhe","family":"Wu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Nursing, Lanzhou University","place":["Lanzhou, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Haijing","family":"Ma","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Nursing, Lanzhou University","place":["Lanzhou, China"]},{"name":"Department of Interventional Medicine, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University","place":["Lanzhou, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yujia","family":"Chen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Nursing, Lanzhou University","place":["Lanzhou, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ping","family":"Song","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Nursing, Lanzhou University","place":["Lanzhou, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yunxia","family":"Li","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Nursing, Lanzhou University","place":["Lanzhou, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yim-Wah","family":"Mak","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University","place":["Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,24]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2040","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(26)00519-2","article-title":"Updated trends in the global prevalence and burden of mental disorders, 1990\u20132023: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2023","volume":"407","author":"Santomauro","year":"1990","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"211","DOI":"10.1016\/s2215-0366(18)30511-x","article-title":"Prevalence of mental disorders in China: a cross-sectional epidemiological study","volume":"6","author":"Huang","year":"2019","journal-title":"Lancet Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"E81","DOI":"10.1016\/j.japh.2019.12.017","article-title":"Mental health first aid training and assessment among university students: a systematic review","volume":"60","author":"El-Den","year":"2020","journal-title":"J Am Pharm Assoc"},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2376802","DOI":"10.1080\/10872981.2024.2376802","article-title":"The influencing factors of stigma towards people with mental illness among nursing students: a mixed-method systematic review","volume":"29","author":"Zeng","year":"2024","journal-title":"Med Educ Online"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"S111","DOI":"10.1192\/bjo.2025.10322","article-title":"A systematic review on the impact of mental health first aid in medical, nursing and allied healthcare professional students","volume":"11","author":"Yeoh","year":"2025","journal-title":"BJPsych Open"},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1216","DOI":"10.1186\/s12909-024-06189-1","article-title":"The effects of an educational intervention on reducing stigma among medical students toward patients with psychiatric disorders","volume":"24","author":"Zonoobi","year":"2024","journal-title":"BMC Med Educ"},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0197102","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0197102","article-title":"Systematic review and meta-analysis of mental health first aid training: effects on knowledge, stigma, and helping behaviour","volume":"13","author":"Morgan","year":"2018","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"186","DOI":"10.1186\/s40359-025-02519-0","article-title":"Mental health first aid training and assessment for healthcare professionals and medical nursing students: a systematic review","volume":"13","author":"Li","year":"2025","journal-title":"BMC Psychol"},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1717","DOI":"10.1002\/jcop.22750","article-title":"Mental health first aid USA implementation: trainee reported quality and impact of training","volume":"50","author":"Troxel","year":"2022","journal-title":"J Community Psychol"},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1196","DOI":"10.1080\/07448481.2021.1925286","article-title":"Mental health first aid improves mental health literacy among college students: a meta-analysis","volume":"71","author":"Liang","year":"2023","journal-title":"J Am Coll Heal"},{"key":"ref11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"816","DOI":"10.3390\/brainsci15080816","article-title":"The effect of mental health first aid training on pharmacist and pharmacy student confidence and knowledge: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"15","author":"Frond","year":"2025","journal-title":"Brain Sci"},{"key":"ref12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"791883","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2021.791883","article-title":"Validation and psychometric testing of the Chinese version of the mental health literacy scale among nurses","volume":"12","author":"Wang","year":"2021","journal-title":"Front Psychol"},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"511","DOI":"10.1016\/j.psychres.2015.05.064","article-title":"The mental health literacy scale (MHLS): a new scale-based measure of mental health literacy","volume":"229","author":"O'Connor","year":"2015","journal-title":"Psychiatry Res"},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"325","DOI":"10.1037\/0022-0167.53.3.325","article-title":"Measuring the self-stigma associated with seeking psychological help","volume":"53","author":"Vogel","year":"2006","journal-title":"J Couns Psychol"},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"719","DOI":"10.1037\/\/0022-3514.69.4.719","article-title":"The structure of psychological well-being revisited","volume":"69","author":"Ryff","year":"1995","journal-title":"J Pers Soc Psychol"},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"106367","DOI":"10.1016\/j.nedt.2024.106367","article-title":"Are nursing students ready to respond to disasters? A study on self-efficacy of nursing students to apply psychological first aid","volume":"143","author":"Bayageldi","year":"2024","journal-title":"Nurse Educ Today"},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"6","DOI":"10.17483\/2368-6669.1381","article-title":"The effects of mental health first aid preparation on nursing student self-efficacy in their response to mental health issues","volume":"9","author":"McGregor","year":"2023","journal-title":"Qual Adv Nurs Educ Avanc\u00e9es En Form Infirm"},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"283","DOI":"10.1186\/s12912-022-01065-z","article-title":"A comparison of the effects of teaching through simulation and the traditional method on nursing students' self-efficacy skills and clinical performance: a quasi-experimental study","volume":"21","author":"Azizi","year":"2022","journal-title":"BMC Nurs"},{"key":"ref19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"310","DOI":"10.3928\/01484834-20050701-04","article-title":"The effect of classroom simulation on nursing students' self-efficacy related to health teaching","volume":"44","author":"Goldenberg","year":"2005","journal-title":"J Nurs Educ"},{"key":"ref20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"6222","DOI":"10.5688\/ajpe6222","article-title":"Assessing mental health first aid skills using simulated patients","volume":"82","author":"El-Den","year":"2018","journal-title":"Am J Pharm Educ"},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"563","DOI":"10.1186\/s12909-021-02990-4","article-title":"Digital mental health literacy-program for the first-year medical students' wellbeing: a one group quasi-experimental study","volume":"21","author":"Kurki","year":"2021","journal-title":"BMC Med Educ"},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"10434","DOI":"10.1016\/j.invent.2021.100434","article-title":"Longer-term effectiveness of eLearning and blended delivery of mental health first aid training in the workplace: 2-year follow-up of a randomised controlled trial","volume":"25","author":"Reavley","year":"2021","journal-title":"Internet Interv"},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"245","DOI":"10.15900\/j.cnki.zylf1995.2025.02.013","article-title":"Current situation and influencing factors of mental health literacy of undergraduate nursing students","volume":"31","author":"Zhang","year":"2025","journal-title":"Chin J Drug Abuse Prev Treat"},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"91","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apnu.2025.01.005","article-title":"Enhancing warning signs of mental health literacy: evaluating a digital base intervention for health profession students","volume":"54","author":"Selim","year":"2025","journal-title":"Arch Psychiatr Nurs"},{"key":"ref25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"500203","DOI":"10.1016\/j.sedeng.2026.500203","article-title":"Educational intervention in mindfulness for nurses: impact on knowledge for the care of patients with migraine","author":"Gine-Cipres","year":"2026","journal-title":"Revista Cient\u00edfica de la Sociedad de Enfermer\u00eda Neurol\u00f3gica (English ed)"},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1715","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare12171715","article-title":"Chinese college students' stigmatization towards people with mental illness: familiarity, perceived dangerousness, fear, and social distance","volume":"12","author":"Li","year":"2024","journal-title":"Healthcare (Basel)"},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1130","DOI":"10.1186\/s12912-025-03743-0","article-title":"A Chinese culture-specific intervention to decrease nursing students' stigma towards schizophrenia: a pilot feasibility randomised controlled trial","volume":"24","author":"Chen","year":"2025","journal-title":"BMC Nurs"},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"101642","DOI":"10.1016\/j.lanwpc.2025.101642","article-title":"Mental health literacy and the stigmatisation and discrimination of individuals affected by mental illnesses in China: a scoping review","volume":"61","author":"Zhang","year":"2025","journal-title":"Lancet Reg Health West Pac"},{"key":"ref29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"174","DOI":"10.1007\/s42761-022-00167-w","article-title":"Interventions to modify psychological well-being: progress, promises, and an agenda for future research","volume":"4","author":"Kubzansky","year":"2023","journal-title":"Affect Sci"},{"key":"ref30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"39","DOI":"10.3928\/02793695-20220325-03","article-title":"Effect of psychological intervention on perceived stress and positive psychological traits among nursing students: findings during the COVID-19 pandemic","volume":"60","author":"Wang","year":"2022","journal-title":"J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv"},{"key":"ref31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"594","DOI":"10.1111\/aphw.12398","article-title":"Interventions to enhance eudaemonic psychological well-being: A meta-analytic review with Ryff's scales of psychological well-being","volume":"15","author":"van Dierendonck","year":"2023","journal-title":"Appl Psychol Health Well Being"},{"key":"ref32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"14034948251380093","DOI":"10.1177\/14034948251380093","article-title":"Effectiveness of the MHFA programme in a Nordic context: an intervention study among nurse professionals caring for older adults","author":"H\u00e4ger","year":"2025","journal-title":"Scand J Public Health"},{"key":"ref33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e45415","DOI":"10.7759\/cureus.45415","article-title":"Temporal reinforcement of naloxone training results in significant retention of anti-bias and overdose-response knowledge","volume":"15","author":"Bharne","year":"2023","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"key":"ref34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1374","DOI":"10.1186\/s40359-025-03624-w","article-title":"Validation of the mental health first aid knowledge questionnaire for use among Chinese non-mental health nurses","volume":"13","author":"Li","year":"2025","journal-title":"BMC Psychol"}],"updated-by":[{"DOI":"10.3389\/fmed.2026.1982045","type":"correction","label":"Correction","source":"publisher","updated":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,10]],"date-time":"2026-09-10T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1788998400000}}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Medicine"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fmed.2026.1907730\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,9]],"date-time":"2026-09-09T13:13:27Z","timestamp":1788959607000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fmed.2026.1907730\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,24]]},"references-count":34,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fmed.2026.1907730"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fmed.2026.1907730","relation":{},"ISSN":["2296-858X"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2296-858X","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,24]]},"article-number":"1907730"}}