Mental Health and Mental Health First Aid: A Narrative Review

Mental health disorders contribute substantially to the global burden of disease and remain a major public health concern, particularly in lowand middle-income countries where the treatment gap is significant.Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a community-based training program designed to improve mental health literacy, reduce stigma, and enable individuals to provide initial support to people experiencing mental health problems or crises.This narrative review examines the principles, effectiveness, and implementation of MHFA programs with particular emphasis on their relevance to the Indian context.A narrative literature review was conducted using databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar, covering studies published between 2000 and 2023.Evidence indicates that MHFA training consistently improves mental health knowledge and attitudes and increases participants' confidence in providing help.However, evidence regarding long-term behavioral change and clinical outcomes remains limited.Implementation challenges such as cultural adaptation, training resources, and sustainability must also be considered.In India, where mental health literacy remains low and treatment gaps are substantial, MHFA has the potential to strengthen community-based mental health support.Further research is required to evaluate culturally adapted MHFA models and their long-term impact on mental health outcomes.