The Case for Mental Health First Aid in Medical Education

Written by: Daryl O. Traylor, PhD, M.S., MPH, MS-II, NREMT

Medical school is often described as one of the most challenging academic and personal journeys one can undertake. The pressure of long hours, relentless academic expectations, and the emotional burden of caring for patients can take a significant toll on mental health. I experienced this firsthand in my first year of medical school. Though I didn’t recognize it at the time, my mental health deteriorated drastically. I was fortunate—my wife saw the signs before I did. With her support, I found a therapist who specialized in working with medical students. That intervention likely saved my life.

But many medical students are not so fortunate. I personally know two medical students who, tragically, did not survive their battles with mental health struggles. Their loss underscores the urgency of addressing mental health proactively within medical education. One potential solution is embedding Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training into the curriculum.

What is Mental Health First Aid?

MHFA is a structured training program designed to equip individuals with the skills to recognize and respond to signs of mental health challenges, much like traditional first aid equips people to respond to physical emergencies.1,2 However, MHFA is not a replacement for professional therapy or psychiatric care. Instead, it empowers peers, faculty, and administrators to provide immediate support, encourage help-seeking behaviors, and connect individuals with appropriate resources.

How MHFA Can Help Medical Students

MHFA training can be instrumental in helping medical students:

• Recognize Early Warning Signs – Many students, like myself, may not immediately recognize when they are struggling. MHFA training can help peers identify signs of distress in themselves and others.

• Reduce Stigma – By normalizing conversations around mental health, MHFA fosters an environment where students feel safer seeking help.

• Provide Immediate Support – Peers trained in MHFA can offer a listening ear, encourage professional intervention, and provide reassurance during times of crisis.

• Promote a Culture of Wellness – Integrating MHFA into medical education signals an institutional commitment to student well-being, reinforcing that mental health is just as important as physical health.1

The MHFA Training Process

MHFA training typically involves an 8-hour course, available in both in-person and virtual formats, that covers:

• Common mental health conditions and their symptoms

• Crisis intervention strategies

• How to approach and support a struggling peer

• Resources for professional mental health care

• Self-care techniques for those providing support 3

Medical education institutions must recognize that their students are not invincible. Embedding MHFA training into the curriculum could be a vital step in addressing the mental health crisis within medicine. If we expect future physicians to provide compassionate care, we must first ensure they receive the same level of care and support throughout their training.

Had I not found the help I needed, I might not be here to share this story. We owe it to medical students everywhere to make mental health support as accessible and prioritized as any other aspect of their education. It is time to make Mental Health First Aid a standard part of medical training.

A Call to Action

Medical schools, faculty, and students must take a stand. If you are a medical educator, advocate for the integration of MHFA into your institution’s curriculum. If you are a medical student, push for training opportunities and support your peers in seeking help. Mental health should not be an afterthought—it should be a foundational part of medical education. The time to act is now. Let’s ensure that no more medical students suffer in silence.

References

1.     Davies EB, Beever E, Glazebrook C. A pilot randomised controlled study of the mental health first aid eLearning course with UK medical students. BMC Med Educ. 2018;18(1):45. doi:10.1186/s12909-018-1154-x. PMID: 29562906; PMCID: PMC5863362

2.     Crawford G, Burns S. Confidence and motivation to help those with a mental health problem: experiences from a study of nursing students completing mental health first aid (MHFA) training. BMC Med Educ. 2020;20:69. doi:10.1186/s12909-020-1983-2. PMID: 32143699; PMCID: PMC7059261.

3.     Keil K. Mental health first aid. Can Vet J. 2019;60(12):1289–1290. PMID: 31814633; PMCID: PMC6855233.