National surveys of mental health literacy and stigma and. The term mental health literacy mhl was introduced by jorm et al. Many members of the public cannot recognise specific disorders or different types of psychological distress. The existing definition of mental health literacy, knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders that aid their recognition, management or prevention, does not specify which knowledge and beliefs represent good mental health literacy. Mental health literacy in developing countries the british. This study aims to investigate the association between mental health literacy and the mental health status, particularly depression, among adolescents. As a result, the majority of people living with anxiety and depression in lmics do not receive professional mental health care. Mental health literacy about schizophrenia and depression. This was a populationbased health survey utilising a twostage sampling technique. Mental health literacy and examination of interventions to. A project to increase mental health literacy in singapore.
Mental health literacy the british journal of psychiatry. Namis fact sheets offer clear, concise information on mental health topics. The evolution of health literacy as a guidepost for mental health literacy development. Sep 25, 2014 this study aims to investigate the association between mental health literacy and the mental health status, particularly depression, among adolescents.
To introduce the concept of mental health literacy to a wider audience, to bring together diverse research relevant to the topic and to identify gaps in the area. The role of mental health literacy in mental health care. Mental health is a critical part of overall health and wellbeing and is important throughout the life cycle. Mental health literacy focuses on helping people develop a working knowledge of mental health what it is and how to take care of it. As shared with the department by our partners who have expertise in mental health and education, there are four key mental health literacy components important to everyones wellbeing and success. Mental health literacy is a critical factor associated with mental health care.
This study aims to investigate the mhl of depression among public health and sociology undergraduate students in hanoi, vietnam. The purpose of this paper is to explore the mental health literacy of students. Mental health literacy among caregivers of persons with. Mental health literacy measures evaluating knowledge, attitudes and helpseeking. By sarbhan singh, rafdzah ahmad zaki and nik daliana nik farid. The sample question on the following page illustrates the type of task used to measure the health literacy. Mental health literacy among university students emerald. There is also evidence for historical improvements in mental health literacy in some countries. Dec 09, 2011 the purpose of this paper is to explore the mental health literacy of students. A conceptual framework of mental health literacy illustrates the connections between components, and each is conceptualized as an area to target for measurement or intervention. Oct 16, 2019 a project to increase mental health literacy in singapore. Many things can contribute to mental health issues and mental illness biological factors, psychological factors, and socialenvironmental factors.
Thus, the levels of caregiver burden caring for a relative with schizophrenia, including family finance, family routine, family leisure, family interaction, physical and mental health were high, especially among chinese families 5,6,7. An introduction mental health literacy mhl is the foundation for mental health pro. To assess the publics recognition of mental disorders and their beliefs about the effectiveness of various treatments mental health literacy. The prevalence of mental disorders increases sharply during adolescence. Many people are unlikely to seek professional mental health care at an early stage of mental illness. The resources on this site will help you learn about health literacy and what you, your organization or community can. Mental health literacy refers to knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders which aid their recognition, management and prevention. Low literacy within a population is a relevant concern, since at the most basic level, mental health literacy is linked to general literacy. The current youth mental health care system is ineffective at meeting the needs of canadian youth. Mental health literacy mhl is one increasingly researched factor thought to influence mental health behaviors. There are very limited studies on mental health in the philippines, and none yet on mental health literacy. Mental health literacy in community sample 577 community members 50. A mental health literacy program improved anxiety literacy. It may facilitate people to seek professional mental health care or help others with mental illness in accessing mental health care.
Enhanced mental health literacy appears to confer a range of benefits. The impact of a depression awareness campaig n on mental. One particular body of work has focused on mental health literacy mhl defined as knowledge about mental health disorders that are associated with their recognition, management, and prevention. The correlations of mental health literacy with psychological. Understanding how to obtain and maintain good mental health. The mental health and high school curriculum guide the guide is the only evidencebased mental health curriculum resource that has been demonstrated to improve both teachers and students mental health literacy through usual teacher education and application in the classroom in a. However, another mooc, teach mental health literacy literacy provides a curriculum resource suitable for use with students aged 12 to 19 and walks you through how to use it. In addition, little research has been conducted to date on mental health literacy among caregivers of. This study aimed to examine the correlations of mental health literacy specific to depression and general health in a sample of high school students in iran.
Ijerph free fulltext mental health literacy in young. Millions of americans are affected by mental health conditions every year. Mental health literacy is a significant determinant of mental health and has the potential to improve both correspondence. Mental health literacy refers to knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders which aid their recognition, management and prevention of mental health problems. Here are some fact sheets and infographics about the prevalence and impact of mental illness. In one study, mental health first aid mhfa resulted in improvements in social associations with a person with a mental health condition. Mental health literacy programs for school teachers. Comparing the mental health literacy of chinese people in australia, china, hong kong and taiwan. Suicidal behaviors of children and young people are a major public health concern. Therefore, school teachers are in a good position to provide initial assistance to students with mental health problems.
This study is part of the growing interest in mental health literacy among young people. Mental health literacy has received increasing attention as a useful strategy to promote early identification. Full text views reflects the number of pdf downloads, pdfs sent. Thoughts of bad things happening frequently pop into his. Download the infographic what is mental health parity. Mental health literacy mhl refers to an individuals knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders that aid their recognition, management, and prevention. Francis xavier university, western university and university of british columbia, this o. Increasing the communitys mental health literacy needs to be a focus for national policy and population monitoring so that the whole community is empowered to take action for better mental health. Mental health educational interventions were associated with statistically significant improvements in attitudes toward providing help. Improving mental health literacy and empowering people to make informed decisions about their mental health can be done through wholegroup approaches, e. Assessing this construct is relevant for identifying knowledge gaps and erroneous beliefs concerning mental health issues, to inform the development of interventions aimed at promoting mental.
Some barriers, such as lack of knowledge, stigma about mental health, linguistic or cultural differences, and poverty, often impact minority students and their families more than their european american peers umpierre et al. For instance, mental health literacy mhl has been identified as a crucial factor in understanding the low. Mar 03, 2016 the evolution of health literacy as a guidepost for mental health literacy development. Sample health literacy assessment question r espondents who participated in the 2003 assessment were asked to complete prose, document, and quantitative literacy tasks of varying levels of difficulty.
There is growing literature on mental health literacy mhl, but few studies have conducted. Organizations that remove health literacy barriers are health literate pdf icon 433 kb, 27 pages external icon. Effect sizes and net percent changes are reported for mental health literacy and mental health outcomes in 2007 and 2011 as well as among men aware and unaware of bluesout in 2011. Mental health literacy mhl is a construct that has arisen from the domain of health literacy hl and must be understood in that context. There is growing literature on mental health literacy mhl, but few studies have conducted research on anything more than demographic. The mental health and high school curriculum guide the guide is the only evidencebased mental health curriculum resource that has been demonstrated to improve both teachers and students mental health literacy through usual teacher education and application in the classroom in a variety of program evaluations and. Researchers have argued for expanding the definition of mhl to include additional constructs, but no consensus has yet been reached. Mcgrath2, jill hayden3 and stan kutcher1 abstract background. Thus, it is the task of the researcher to assess the mental health literacy of filipino college students, particularly focusing on their understanding of depression, which is one of the most common mental disorders. We used our definition of mental health literacy, 18 that is composed of 4 constructs addressing three outcomes. Mental health literacy was measured by the australian national mental health literacy and stigma youth survey with the depression vignette only.
Further, researchers have suggested that mental health literacy is not a single dimension but rather represents knowledge and beliefs about mental health disorders that emerge from general preexisting belief systems. Teach mental health is a comprehensive mental health literacy learner resource for preservice and practicing teachers. Inperson interviews and the recruitment of participants from a nonclinical setting allow a better understanding of mental health literacy in a typical iraqi refugee population. Interventions to promote mental health literacy in university. Teach mental health mental health literacy resource. Pdf teachers mental health literacy and capacity towards. In addition, little research has been conducted to date on mental health literacy among caregivers of children with severe emotional. There is a tendency among professionals to assume the mental health literacy of the.
The health system is an intervention point in the health literacy framework. Mental health literacy measures evaluating knowledge. Adolescent mental health literacy and its association with. Interventions to promote mental health literacy in. Mental health literacy mhl is considered a prerequisite for early recognition and intervention in mental disorders, and for this reason, it has become a focus of research over the past few decades. More than ever, teachers are placed on the frontlines of mental health care provision, including identification and intervention delivery.
Mental health literacy boston university medical campus. Hashish dalhousie university and iwk health centre, halifax, ns, canada health literacy and mental health literacy. Mental health literacy mhl is the foundation for mental health promotion, effective acknowledgment of prevention of mental disorders, and provision of evidencebased mental health care jorm, 2012, jorm et al. The development of hl was initially informed by observations that low functional literacy was associated with numerous poor health outcomes. Mental distress, perceived need, and barriers to receive. This report is based on data from the 1995, 20034 and 2011 adult surveys, the 2006 and 2011 youth surveys and the recently conducted national survey of discrimination and positive treatment associated with mental health problems.
For the purposes of this framework, health literacy refers to an individuals interaction with people performing health related activities in settings such as hospitals, clinics, physicians offices, home health care, public health agencies, and insurers. Mental health illiteracy list of high impact articles. Mental health literacy and mental health status in. In portugal, the increasing awareness of this problem is well reflected by the implementation of the first national suicide prevention plan from 20 to 2017. National action plan to improve health literacy envisions a restructuring of the ways we create and disseminate all types of health information in this country. How can organizations, communities, and people improve health literacy.
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