Research has shown African Americans experience mental health issues at the same rate as the general population but seek treatment at only one-third that rate. Eleven African American low-income urban community leaders with basic training in mental health issues were interviewed about their perceptions of African American patterns of communication on mental health issues. Findings included a general consensus that the topic is generally not discussed, although passing references to a party’s perceived mental illness may be made using humor. When such discussion does take place, it happens only in a “safe space” with a trusted dialogue partner. Non-verbal cues are an important element of these conversations, as are non-judgmental, attentive and purposeful listening. The participants report that community members who did not receive the basic mental health training speak with great disparagement of those they perceive to be mentally ill.

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Etude 1 – Objectifs : Évaluer l’efficacité des programmes diffusés par Internet dans la réduction des symptômes de troubles du comportement alimentaire (TCA) et identifier les variables modératrices de l’efficacité. Résultats : Les programmes identifiés étaient efficaces dans la réduction des symptômes et des facteurs de risque de TCA avec une taille d’effet variant de faible à moyenne par rapport aux groupes contrôles. Les analyses de modération ont révélé que la sévérité des symptômes de TCA ne modérait pas l’effet de l’intervention. Etude 2 – Objectifs : Évaluer l’efficacité d’un programme de prévention des TCA par Internet (ProYouth) dans la réduction des symptômes de TCA. Résultats : Chez les individus qui ont complété au moins 4 questionnaires de suivi, la durée de participation au programme était une variable prédictrice de la diminution de la fréquence des crises d’hyperphagie (β = 0,01, p < 0,001). Etude 3 – Objectifs : Diffuser par Internet un guide de psychoéducation français visant à aider les personnes qui souffrent de symptômes de TCA et explorer les caractéristiques des utilisateurs et l’utilité perçue du guide. Résultats : Le guide a été téléchargé 1174 fois et 312 participants ont déclaré avoir téléchargé le guide pour obtenir des informations et par curiosité. Quarante-deux des 50 utilisateurs ayant répondu au second questionnaire ont trouvé le guide « utile » ou « très utile ». Conclusion : Internet pourrait s’avérer particulièrement bénéfique dans la prévention des TCA chez les étudiants français. Promouvoir des informations fiables par l’intermédiaire d’Internet pourrait optimiser l’éducation aux TCA en population générale. / Study 1 – Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of Internet-based programs in decreasing eating disorder (ED) symptoms and to identify moderator variables of effects. Results: Compared to control conditions, Internet-based programs were successful in decreasing ED symptoms and risk factors with small to moderate between-group effect sizes. Moderator analyses revealed no impact of participant risk status on intervention effects. Study 2 – Aims: To evaluate an ED Internet-based prevention program efficacy (ProYouth) on decreases of disordered eating symptoms. Results: Among individuals having completed at least 4 monitoring assessments, time since registration was found to significantly predict decreases in binge eating (β = -.01, p < .001). Study 3 – Aims: To disseminate, through Internet, French guidelines for providing first aid to individuals suffering from ED symptoms and to explore the user characteristics and the perceived usefulness of the guidelines. Results: The guidelines were downloaded 1174 times and 312 participants have reported downloading the guidelines to increase their knowledge, or out of curiosity. Forty-two of the 50 users having completed the second questionnaire found the guidelines “useful” or “very useful.” Conclusion: The Internet might have great potential to prevent EDs among French college students. Promoting reliable information through the Internet could help to increase ED mental health literacy and would therefore be an important step towards improving access to ED treatment.

Background Mental health stigma-reducing and awareness trainings encourage trainees to talk about mental health with the hope that increased discussions will lead to reduced stigma and increased access to mental health services. This survey study aimed to examine the current levels of confidence among participants, or “first aiders” who completed the Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training in their ability to demonstrate the skills that were taught in the training. Additionally, this study examined the difference in levels of confidence between the YMHFA instructors and first aiders in the ability of the first aiders to demonstrate the skills that were taught in the training. We examined differences in levels of confidence among first aiders according to their socio-demographic and personal characteristics. Finally, we explored the ways in which first aiders who completed the course used their knowledge and skills after the training. Methods Seven hundred fifty-seven first aider participants were surveyed post-training and 129 first aider participants were surveyed at follow-up. Fourteen YMHFA instructors were surveyed. Results The data indicated that there was a significant decrease in confidence among first aiders between post-training and follow-up. With the exception of age, there were no statistically significant differences in levels of confidence among first aiders according to the following sociodemographic and personal characteristics: a.) gender; b.) race; c.) reason for attendance; d.) role of use. Survey data also indicated the various ways in which first aiders are currently using their training. Conclusions First aiders’ confidence declined after follow-up even though they reported various ways in which they are using their training. Instructors reported positive perceptions of the training and reported a high level of confidence in the ability of their trained first aiders to demonstrate the taught skills.

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