Mental health literacy: A systematic review of knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders in Malaysia

AimsMental health literacy campaigns have received increasing attention as a useful method of reducing the burden of mental disorders, by promoting public awareness and improving attitudes surrounding mental disorders. However, despite the wealth of research into the effectiveness of mental health literacy interventions in high-income countries, there is an absence of evaluations of these interventions in low-middle-income countries (LMICs). This systematic review aims to pool the evidence on effectiveness of these interventions in LMICs.MethodMEDLINE(OVID), PyschInfo, Scopus and reference lists of included studies were searched. Studies that quantitively measured the effectiveness of mental health literacy interventions amongst schools and communities in LMICs were included, regardless of study design. The included papers were not limited to a particular population demographic, ethnicity or educational level. Studies were included if conducted in LMICs according to the World Bank Classification. Each study was critically assessed according to CASP critical appraisal checklists.ResultTen studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, including 6 case series, 3 controlled before and after studies and 1 cross sectional study. Most of the studies claimed significant improvement of knowledge, attitudes and coping skills following the intervention. However, the overall the methodological quality of the studies was rated as fair to poor.ConclusionThe review found that mental health literacy interventions may have promising effects, however the pooled evidence of the effectiveness in LMICs was inconclusive. Further research into the effectiveness of these interventions would benefit from using a RCT design, or controlled-before and after studies, with careful control of confounding variables in order to further establish effect. This study provided insights into the barriers to effective implementation of these programs and examined the contextual appropriateness of such interventions. The review provides recommendations for policy makers for the development of future interventions.

Download Full-text

The Influence of Mental Health Literacy and Human Rights Sensitivity of Nursing Students on Social Distance in People with Mental Disorders

Korean Association For Learner-Centered Curriculum And Instruction ◽

10.22251/jlcci.2020.20.21.1037 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (21) ◽

pp. 1037-1053

Author(s):

Yonhee Seo ◽

Kyongah Cho

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Human Rights ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Nursing Students ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Social Distance ◽

Mental Health Literacy

Download Full-text

Changes in rehabilitation actors’ mental health literacy and support to employers: An evaluation of the SEAM intervention

Work ◽

10.3233/wor-213535 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Annika Lexén ◽

Maria Emmelin ◽

Lars Hansson ◽

Bengt Svensson ◽

Susann Porter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Return To Work ◽

Mental Health Literacy ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Service Users ◽

Rehabilitation Professionals ◽

Knowledge And Beliefs ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND: Lack of mental health literacy among rehabilitation professionals and employers in the return-to-work of persons with mental health problems resulted in the development of a three-day group training program, the Support to Employers from rehabilitation Actors about Mental health (SEAM) intervention. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of SEAM on rehabilitation professionals’ knowledge and beliefs, attitudes, and supporting behaviors towards people with mental health problems and employers as part of the return-to-work process. METHODS: In this longitudinal study, 94 rehabilitation professionals were included. Data were collected prior to (T1), immediately after (T2) and 6 months after SEAM training (T3) using knowledge and attitude scales and a questionnaire on supporting behaviors. SEAM includes training in Mental Health First Aid, presentations and discussions on current research on work and mental health, and strategies and communication guidelines to use when meeting service users and employers as part of the return-to-work of persons with mental health problems. SEAM also includes a homepage with targeted employer information. Data were analyzed using non-parametric statistics. RESULTS: SEAM significantly increased rehabilitation professionals’ knowledge of mental health (T1-T2: z = –2.037, p = 0.042; T2-T3: z = –5.093, p = 0.001), and improved their attitudes towards persons with mental health problems (T1-T2: z = 4.984, p = 0.001). Professionals (50–60%) also estimated that they had increased their use of supporting strategies towards service users and employers. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that SEAM can increase mental health literacy among rehabilitation professionals and lead to a greater focus on service users’ resources and work ability, as well as on employers’ support needs.

Download Full-text

Mental health literacy among Arab university students in Israel: A qualitative study

International Journal of Social Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/00207640211036167 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 002076402110361

Author(s):

Anwar Khatib ◽

Fareeda Abo-Rass

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Low Socioeconomic Status ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Mental Health Literacy ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Arab Population ◽

Professional Help ◽

Arab Students

Background: There has been a noticeable increase in the number of studies concerned with mental health literacy (MHL), specifically among students. Still, very few studies have examined MHL among students of non-Western minority groups. Aims: This study examined MHL among Arab students in Israel based on Jorm’s conceptual framework. Methods: Twenty-eight Arab students in Israel took part in semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Most were single and Muslim, in their second year of studies, and most reported low socioeconomic status. The data were analyzed thematically, guided by the Jorm’s six MHL dimensions. Results: Different levels of literacy were found in the various MHL dimensions. The participants identified severe mental disorders more easily than mood disorders; reported a variety of possible causes of mental disorders; were well aware of available professional help (apart for rehabilitative services); identified significant barriers to mental health help seeking, as Arabs; and reported the internet as a major source of information about mental health problems and their treatment Conclusions: The participants’ MHL appeared to be associated with their unique sociocultural characteristics. This study stresses the need to raise MHL among Arab students in Israel, and in particular to promote positive attitudes to seeking professional help. It also highlights the need to develop culturally adapted mental health interventions for the Arab population in Israel.

Download Full-text

Measurement properties of mental health literacy tools measuring help-seeking: a systematic review*

Journal of Mental Health ◽

10.1080/09638237.2016.1276532 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 26 (6) ◽

pp. 543-555 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Yifeng Wei ◽

Patrick J. McGrath ◽

Jill Hayden ◽

Stan Kutcher

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Mental Health Literacy ◽

Measurement Properties

Download Full-text

Lay perceptions about mental health: where is age and where is Alzheimer's disease?

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610205002255 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 371-382 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Perla Werner

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Mental Health Literacy ◽

The Elderly ◽

Research Directions ◽

Lay Perceptions ◽

Geriatric Mental Health

Studies on laypersons' beliefs and knowledge about mental disorders have proliferated in recent years. However, attention has been focused mainly on depression and schizophrenia and on young adults. The aim of this paper is to summarize research in the area, and to discuss the need to expand research in the elderly population. The unique characteristics of older persons in terms of the prevalence and type of mental disorders, especially Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias, as well as in terms of their being victims of “double jeopardy” require special attention and research. The present review has three main objectives. First, it summarizes the findings of studies examining different aspects of mental health literacy. Second, the importance of age in the study of mental health literacy is discussed. Third, findings of the few studies examining laypersons' beliefs in the area of AD are presented. Finally, research directions are suggested with special emphasis on the importance of geriatric mental health and mental health literacy.

Download Full-text

Public recognition of mental disorders and beliefs about treatment: changes in Australia over 16 years

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.bp.111.104208 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 200 (5) ◽

pp. 419-425 ◽

Cited By ~ 52

Author(s):

Nicola J. Reavley ◽

Anthony F. Jorm

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

National Survey ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Mental Health Literacy ◽

Public Recognition ◽

Similar Survey ◽

Treatment Changes

BackgroundA 1995 Australian national survey of mental health literacy showed poor recognition of disorders and beliefs about treatment that differed from those of health professionals. A similar survey carried out in 2003/4 showed some improvements over 8 years.AimsTo investigate whether recognition of mental disorders and beliefs about treatment have changed over a 16-year period.MethodA national survey of 6019 adults was carried out in 2011 using the same questions as the 1995 and 2003/4 surveys.ResultsResults showed improved recognition of depression and more positive ratings for a range of interventions, including help from mental health professionals and antidepressants.ConclusionsAlthough beliefs about effective medications and interventions have moved closer to those of health professionals since the previous surveys, there is still potential for mental health literacy gains in the areas of recognition and treatment beliefs for mental disorders. This is particularly the case for schizophrenia.

Download Full-text

Mental Health Literacy of University Students

Psychological Research and Intervention ◽

10.21831/pri.v2i2.28429 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 13-22

Author(s):

Rachella Ryandra Fitri

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

University Students ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Mental Health Literacy ◽

State University ◽

Chi Square ◽

Professional Help ◽

Positive Attitudes

The purpose of this study is to observe: (1) Gender difference in mental health literacy of Yogyakarta State University students and (2) Differences in mental health literacy of Yogyakarta State University students based on vignette character’s gender. The type of this study was factorial survey. In this study, respondents were presented with short descriptions called vignette that were constructed and contained elements that had been manipulated by the researcher to control certain variables, namely gender and mental disorders that the characters had. Then, subjects were asked to answer closed questions (Mental Health Literacy Test) based on the vignettes. The subjects in this study were 377 undergraduate students from Yogyakarta State University. The sampling techniques used in this study were cluster random sampling and incidental sampling. Chi-Square was performed to analyze the data. The results of this study indicated that: (1) There were gender differences in mental health literacy aspect positive attitudes toward professional help where more male respondents did not recommend seeking professional help for depression (2) There were differences in mental health literacy aspects knowledge about the causes of mental disorders and positive attitudes towards professional help based on gender vignette characters for depression.

Download Full-text