%0 Journal Article
%T Assessment of Mental Health First Aid Training and Simulated Psychosis Role-Play Exercises in Pharmacy Education
%A Fatou S. Ndiaye
%A Amina B. Diallo
%J Annals of Pharmacy Education, Safety, and Public Health Advocacy
%@ 3108-4850
%D 2022
%V 2
%N 1
%R 10.51847/wUOcIlLFRg
%P 167-175
%X This research aimed to determine how participation in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training and structured psychosis simulation exercises influences pharmacy students’ attitudes, confidence, and practical engagement when supporting individuals experiencing mental health challenges or crises. Final-year pharmacy students undertook MHFA training. Subsequently, a subset participated in psychosis simulation exercises co-developed with mental health stakeholders and validated for accuracy. Trained actors enacted patient scenarios while peers, tutors, and mental health consumer educators (MHCEs) observed. Students then completed immediate self-evaluations, received structured feedback, and joined reflective debrief sessions with observers. Quantitative evaluation, including ANOVA and chi-square analyses, was applied to scores from self, tutor, and MHCE ratings across three scenarios. Additionally, a 15-item survey assessing mental health stigma and confidence was administered at three timepoints: before MHFA training, after training, and post-simulation, with paired t-tests used to analyze changes.

Out of 209 students trained in MHFA, 86 took part in simulations. Self-ratings were consistently lower than evaluations from MHCEs, which were the highest. After MHFA training, 14 survey items showed statistically significant improvement, reflecting reduced stigma and increased confidence in providing psychosis care. Following the simulation exercises, improvements were observed in 12 items. Psychosis-focused simulation exercises appear to enhance short-term confidence and reduce stigma among pharmacy students after MHFA training, with self-perceived performance lower than ratings from tutors and MHCEs. Future research should combine observed behaviors with self-reported data and explore longitudinal MHFA outcomes using simulated patients in clinical contexts.
%U https://smerpub.com/article/assessment-of-mental-health-first-aid-training-and-simulated-psychosis-role-play-exercises-in-pharma-xns3yzavdwbok05