Cultural adaptation of the mental health first aid guidelines for depression in Brazil: a Delphi expert consensus study

• Published in: BMC psychiatry 2023-01, Vol.23 (1), p.76-9, Article 76
• Main Authors: Scotti Requena, Simone, Alves Assumpção, Thais, Mesquita Peres, Carlos Henrique, Vidotto Cerqueira, Amanda, Loch, Alexandre Andrade, Li, Wenjing, Reavley, Nicola J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation; Adaptation level (Psychology); Brazil; Care and treatment; Cultural adaptation; Data collection; Delphi method; Delphi study; Delphi Technique; Demographic aspects; Depression; Depression - therapy; Depression, Mental; First Aid; Health education; Health literacy; Health services; Hospitals; Humans; Language; Management; Medical personnel; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Mental Health; Mental health care; Mental health first aid (MHFA); Portuguese language; Practice guidelines (Medicine); Psychiatric services; Psychiatry; Questionnaires; Social aspects; Stigma; Surveys; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 1471-244X; 1471-244X
• DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04566-6

Depression is a significant contributor to disability in Brazil, with most Brazilians affected by depression receiving no treatment. As the community, including family and friends, plays a crucial role in providing support for someone with depression, it is important that evidence-based resources are available to support people who wish to help. The aim of this study was to culturally adapt the English-language mental health first aid guidelines for assisting a person with depression for the Brazilian culture. A Delphi expert consensus study was conducted, with two expert panels; health professionals (n = 29) and people with lived experience of depression (n = 28). One hundred and seventy-four statements from the English-language guidelines were translated into Brazilian Portuguese and administered as a survey. Participants were asked to rate statements based on how appropriate those statements were for the Brazilian culture and to suggest new statements if appropriate. Data were collected over two survey rounds. Consensus was achieved on 143 statements. A total of 133 statements were adopted from the English-language guidelines, whereas 10 new endorsed statements were generated from suggestions of the two expert panels. There were similarities between the English-language and Brazilian guidelines, mainly related to family involvement and the value of empathy. More research on dissemination and incorporation of the guidelines into the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training course for Brazil is required.