Paradigm 6: Improved Knowledge About Mental Illness Will Eradicate Stigma

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Stuart ◽  
Julio Arboleda-Flórez ◽  
Norman Sartorius
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Social Rejection ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Clear Distinction

Chapter 7 discusses the differences between misconceptions that respond to information, and prejudices that are deep-seated and resistant to change. It is important to maintain a clear distinction between programs that are designed to reduce disability by improving mental health literacy and help-seeking, from those designed to decrease stigma and social rejection. There is a danger that increased understanding of the neurobiological basis for mental illnesses engenders stigma by sharpening divisions between what is considered “normal” and “abnormal” and by consolidating stereotypes of immutability, uncontrollability, and dangerousness.

scholarly journals Mental Health Literacy and Dementia

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-168
Author(s):  
Hannah Carr ◽  
Adrian Furnham
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Frontotemporal Dementia ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Participant Education

This study aimed to investigate mental health literacy (MHL) with respect to dementia. Three forms of dementia were investigated. In all, 167 participants completed an online questionnaire which consisted of five vignettes that described the three dementia conditions, as well as depression and typical ageing. The vignette characters had no age specified, or they were described as 50-years-old or 70-years-old. Participants had to firstly decide if there was a disorder present and identify it by name, then answer questions relating to treatment and help-seeking. Results showed that participants could identify Alzheimer’s Disease significantly more so than they could vascular or frontotemporal dementia. All three dementias were significantly more recognised when the vignette was described as a 70-year-old. Frontotemporal dementia was significantly misdiagnosed as depression. Participant education and mental health experience did not influence the identification of dementia. Compared to some other well-known mental illnesses like schizophrenia, lay people are relatively good at recognising Alzheimer’s disease, but much less so at other forms of dementia. Implications and limitations of the study are discussed.

scholarly journals A Structural Equation Modeling of Mental Health Literacy in Healthcare Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (24) ◽  
pp. 13264
Author(s):  
Chia-Min Lu ◽  
Yin-Ju Lien ◽  
Hsing-Jung Chao ◽  
Hui-Shin Lin ◽  
I-Chuan Tsai
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Help Seeking Attitudes ◽  
Healthcare Students

Background: There is a high prevalence of mental illness among healthcare students, and most students with mental health problems are reluctant to seek help from mental health professionals. Help-seeking is a component of mental health literacy (MHL). Although MHL is conceptualized as multi-dimensional, a theory-based multi-construct of MHL is still lacking. We aimed to build a theory-based multi-construct of MHL to explore the pathways of help-seeking. Methods: The data were obtained from a survey on MHL among healthcare students in 2018 (n = 1294). The Mental Health Literacy Scale for Healthcare Students was used to measure the maintenance of positive mental health, recognition of mental illness, mental illness stigma attitudes, help-seeking efficacy, and help-seeking attitudes. Descriptive analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were conducted. Results: The findings of the SEM model indicated recognition of mental illness had a positive direct effect on both help-seeking efficacy and maintenance of positive mental health. Additionally, help-seeking efficacy fully mediated the relationship between recognition of mental illness and help-seeking attitudes. Conclusions: Help-seeking efficacy plays a significant role in healthcare students’ willingness to seek professional help when mental health care is needed. Accordingly, improving help-seeking efficacy strategies would increase the use of mental health services and contribute to the prevention of mental health problems.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Shining Mind- A Smartphone App to Increase Mental Health Literacy Among College Students

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vu Hong Van ◽  
Kieu Thi Anh Dao ◽  
Dang Hoang Minh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
College Students ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Literacy Intervention ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Global Public Health

Background: Mental illness is a global public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as Vietnam. Improving mental health literacy was found to be associated with early detection and treatment of mental illness and increased help-seeking behaviors. With the development of information technology, IT applications such as websites and mobile applications have become essential tools for mental health literacy intervention. Though there has been a number of mobile apps delivering psychotherpies, little focus on mental health litracy intervention.   Aims: The study aims to a) evaluate the feasibility of a mobile-based mental health literacy intervention called Shining Mind and b) assess the effectiveness of the Shining Mind app in improving mental health literacy among college students. Methods: The study used randomized control trial design with two groups: experimental group (N=68) and control group (N=84). Results: The average number of times of accessing Shining Mind was 22.97 per student (SD=25.13) with one student (1.47%) never logging into the app. In terms of quality, the app was rated moderately good by participants (M=3.3, SD=0.6). Regarding mental health literacy, the results showed that there were group effects over time regarding depression and biopolar recognition, social anxiety labelling, stigma and parent help-seeking intention.

Enhancing mental health literacy in India to reduce stigma: the fountainhead to improve help-seeking behaviour

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 146-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shivani Mathur Gaiha ◽  
Greeshma Ann Sunil ◽  
Rajeev Kumar ◽  
Subhadra Menon
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour

Purpose – Lack of understanding around mental illness and stigma are an overwhelming barrier in help-seeking behaviour for mental health concerns. The purpose of this paper is to examine mental health literacy and social attitudes as instrumental factors in building capacity of the demand-side to support and access mental health care at the community level in India. Design/methodology/approach – Knowledge, Attitude and Practice surveys were administered to 521 persons from the general population, distributed equally in the age range of 15-60 years. The study included 52 respondents per district from ten districts across five states in India, namely Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Delhi, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. The responses were collected and analysed thematically, keeping in mind the relevance of these findings as contributors to knowledge of mental health and to the construct of stigma. Findings – Pervasive socio-cultural factors, especially stigma inhibit access to basic mental health information and care, despite knowledge that mental illness is treatable. Degrading treatment, loss of personal liberty and social exclusion, i.e. compromised human rights at the community level are widespread. Self-reported attitudes when encountering a person with mental illness show that respondents act out of fear and are guided by misinformation and myths. Extant knowledge on mental health is attributed predominantly to informal networks, as a potential resource to be strengthened. Practical implications – Realising mental health care, including help-seeking behaviour calls for greater knowledge-sharing, sensitisation and community engagement. Originality/value – This paper fulfils an identified need to study current levels of mental health literacy and underlying perceptions that contribute to the persistent treatment gap.

scholarly journals Why mental health literacy still matters: a review

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 2723
Author(s):  
Surendran Venkataraman ◽  
Rajkumar Patil ◽  
Sivaprakash Balasundaram
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
General Public ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Health Disorders

The magnitude of mental disorders is a growing public health concern. An increasing amount of research globally has attempted to understand the reasons for poor help-seeking for different mental health disorders. A segment of work has focused on ‘mental health literacy’ (MHL) defined as knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders which aid their recognition, management & prevention. Studies on mental health literacy, people’s knowledge of, and attitude towards mental illness, and beliefs about mental health treatment were obtained through a review of literature in PubMed databases using the medical subject headings (MeSH) terms and unpublished, grey literature during the year 1995 to 2018. Nearly 50 of the eligible articles were included for the final report. Findings revealed that the general public have relatively poor recognition of the symptoms of mental health disorders and appear to emphasise self-help over standard medical treatments. Negative attitudes toward mental illness that hinders individuals from seeking professional treatment, and help-seeking are the common themes that emerge from the findings. Findings also revealed that treatment seeking, attitudes and beliefs toward mental illness are related to mental health literacy. Several different factors that influence have been identified, including gender, culture, age, educational qualifications, and personality. MHL in general remains at a relatively low level. There is an urgent need to improve awareness of mental illness and mental health literacy among the general public. Future research for improving MHL are required. 

Mental health literacy and attitude towards people with mental illness: A trend analysis based on population surveys in the eastern part of Germany

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 225-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.C. Angermeyer ◽  
A. Holzinger ◽  
H. Matschinger
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Trend Analysis ◽  
Social Distance ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Population Surveys ◽  
People With Mental Illness

AbstractBackgroundThere is growing evidence that mental health literacy has improved in western countries in recent years. The question arises as to whether this trend is paralleled by an improvement of attitudes towards people with mental illness.AimTo examine the development of mental health literacy and the desire for social distance towards people with schizophrenia and major depressive disorder in Eastern Germany over a time period of eight years.MethodA trend analysis was carried out using data from two population surveys conducted in the eastern part of Germany in 1993 and 2001. By means of a fully structured interview psychiatric labelling, causal beliefs, help-seeking and treatment recommendations as well as the desire for social distance was assessed.ResultsWhile there was an increase in the mental health literacy of the public, the desire for social distance from people with major depression and schizophrenia remained unchanged or even increased.ConclusionsThe assumption underlying a number of anti-stigma campaigns, namely that educating people about mental disorders may automatically lead to the improvement of their attitudes towards the mentally ill, appears questionable.

scholarly journals T130. A SURVEY OF MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY USING THE INTERNET IN JAPAN

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S279-S280
Author(s):  
Taiju Yamaguchi ◽  
Yoshiyo Oguchi ◽  
Yasutaka Ojio ◽  
Ryoichi Mori ◽  
Minako Oooka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
General Public ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
The Internet ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Major Factors

Abstract Background Insufficient mental health literacy (MHL) of the general public is one of the major factors that prevent early intervention for mental illness. Insufficient MHL may exacerbate the stigma attached to people with mental illness. In Japan, there have been few large-scale surveys to determine the MHL level of the general public. Hence, we conducted a large-scale internet-based survey of 3000 citizens, to clarify the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of the general public with respect to “prevention of and recovery from mental illness.” Methods We conducted a survey of 3000 citizens (aged 18 to 79 years, 1483 males and 1517 females) to determine their MHL level, using a questionnaire posted on the internet. The survey consisted of 22 questions about MHL, grouped into 8 categories. Results The results of our survey were as follows: Discussion It was found that in Japan, many citizens were aware of the importance of mental health, but that there was still a stigma attached to people with mental illness. In addition, they were found to be still poorly aware of representative mental illnesses, such as depression and schizophrenia. For improving these aspects, the MHL level of the general public needs to be further improved. In Japan, it has been pointed out that education on mental health is insufficient. However, education on mental health as a course on “prevention of and recovery from mental illness” is expected to be started in high schools in 2022. This would be expected to further improve the MHL level of the general public in the near future.

scholarly journals Mental Health Literacy in Healthcare Students: An Expansion of the Mental Health Literacy Scale

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 948
Author(s):  
Hsing-Jung Chao ◽  
Yin-Ju Lien ◽  
Yu-Chen Kao ◽  
I-Chuan Tasi ◽  
Hui-Shin Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Healthcare Students

Objective: Although the recently developed mental health literacy scale showed significant score differences between general population and mental health professionals, to this date there is no published scale intended to specifically assess mental health literacy (MHL) in healthcare students. This study constructed a 26-item scale-based measure to assess multiple components of MHL and associated psychometric properties in a sample of medical and public health students of 11 universities in Taiwan. Methods: The development and validation of the scale comprised three phases: measure development, pilot testing (n = 32), and psychometric properties examination (n = 1294). Results: 26 items were generated for five factors: maintenance of positive mental health, recognition of mental illness, attitude to mental illness stigma, help-seeking efficacy, and help-seeking attitude. The scale demonstrated good content validity, internal consistency, and construct validity (factorial validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and known groups validity). Conclusions: The findings suggest that the Mental Health Literacy Scale for Healthcare Students (MHLS-HS) is a valid, reliable, and practical tool for identifying MHL gaps in medical and public health students. It has the potential to inform remedial curricular interventions for educators and evaluate intervention effectiveness.

scholarly journals The need for assessing mental health literacy among teachers: an overview

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 3210
Author(s):  
Surendran Venkataraman ◽  
Rajkumar Patil ◽  
Sivaprakash Balasundaram
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Adolescent Students ◽  
Health Organization

Background: The magnitude of mental disorders is a growing public health concern. According to World Health Organization (WHO) reports, one out of five children suffer from a disabling mental illness. Majority of mental illnesses start during the adolescent period. Management of mental illnesses start from recognizing the needy adolescent and providing appropriate therapy and support. Most of the children and adolescents are students who spend almost half of their active time in schools under observation of their teachers. Teachers interact with students daily and can spot the changes in their behavior before they develop full-blown symptoms. Hence, teachers can be a major resource of importance in providing basic mental health services. The teacher’s ability to identify the early signs of mental illness in adolescent students can be considered as the most critical and neglected area. Majority of the studies are conducted in the community or adolescent students and much less attention has been paid to the mental health literacy of educators, who are important role models and youth influencers in addressing mental health literacy. The scenario in India in this regard is highly disappointing with few studies done among teachers.

Mental health literacy of the Lebanese population (MHeLLP): a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rim Taleb ◽  
Nayla Kassab ◽  
Asmaa Kebbe ◽  
Nour Kreidieh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Lebanese Population

Purpose This study primarily aims to evaluate the mental health literacy (MHL) of the Lebanese adult population in an attempt to yield results that can help fill the gap in the literature and support the development of new strategies to counter mental health stigma. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey was composed of the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule and select questions from the Community Attitudes toward the Mentally Ill and MHL Scale. The surveys were collected from a representative population of sample size (n = 386) among the different governorates of Lebanon. The participants, aged 18–65 years and literate, were recruited between July 2018 and September 2018 from supermarkets widely distributed across the country. Findings The results showed that the Lebanese population possesses average knowledge and certain stigmatizing attitudes toward mental illnesses. Curricular education and awareness campaigns may help refine the image of mental illness among the population. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is one of the first in Lebanon to assess the MHL of its population as a whole. It gives insight into the common misconceptions about mental illness and patterns of the related stigma that are prevalent in the Lebanese society today.

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