Virtual reality (VR) training simulators have emerged as a promising tool for enhancing mental health first aid awareness among diverse populations, including those in remote or underserved regions such as Somalia and Chad. Participants were recruited from various Somali communities across Chad through targeted outreach programmes. A pre- and post-training VR simulator intervention was administered, followed by semi-structured interviews for qualitative data collection. Data analysis employed both quantitative (questionnaire responses) and qualitative methods to ensure comprehensive understanding of participants' experiences. Quantitative results indicated a statistically significant increase in mental health first aid awareness levels among Somali community leaders post-training, with an average improvement of 25% compared to baseline scores. Participant feedback highlighted the immersive nature of VR as particularly effective for learning and retaining knowledge. The longitudinal study provides robust evidence supporting the use of VR training simulators in enhancing mental health first aid awareness among Somali community leaders in Chad, offering a scalable solution for similar populations facing geographical or resource limitations. Based on this research, it is recommended that VR training simulators be integrated into existing mental health education programmes within Somali communities and further evaluated across broader geographic regions to validate findings. Virtual Reality Training Simulators, Mental Health First Aid, Community Leaders, Somalia, Chad, Longitudinal Study
Njoya et al. (Sat,) studied this question.