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.

Evaluation of a Resilience-Based Intervention for Children of Parents With Mental Illness

2008 ◽  
Vol 42 (12) ◽  
pp. 1041-1050 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliza Fraser ◽  
Kenneth I. Pakenham
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Participant Satisfaction ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Treatment Gains ◽  
And Control

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a group psychosocial intervention for children (aged 12–18) of a parent with mental illness (copmi). Method: A treatment and waitlist-control design study with pre- and post-treatment, and 8 week follow up, was carried out. The treatment (n = 27) and control (n=17) groups were compared on three groups of dependent variables: intervention targets (mental health literacy, connectedness, coping strategies), adjustment (depression, life satisfaction, prosocial behaviour, emotional/behavioural difficulties), and caregiving experiences. Results: Group comparisons failed to show statistically significant intervention effects, but reliable clinical change analyses suggested that compared to the control group, more intervention participants had clinically significant improvements in mental health literacy, depression, and life satisfaction. These treatment gains were maintained 8 weeks after treatment. Participant satisfaction data supported these treatment gains. Conclusions: Given study limitations and the modest support for intervention effectiveness it is important that this and other similar interventions should continue to be revised and undergo rigorous evaluation.

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.

Promoting mental health literacy in schools

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Fretian ◽  
S Kirchhoff ◽  
P Graf ◽  
U Bauer
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Young People ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Good Mental Health

Abstract Background Adolescence is the most suitable time for health promotion and prevention programs regarding mental illness to start. Given that, about half of the mental illnesses will develop by the age of 14, addressing this issue early in the life course is a particular public health goal in Europe. Mental health literacy is considered a key determinant of good mental health, as it comprises adequate knowledge positive attitudes towards mental health and help-seeking behavior. School-based interventions aimed at increasing mental health literacy are a promising method to reach most young people, at least in countries were school attendance is mandatory. The goal of our project is to evaluate a mental health school program, adapted from a Curriculum originating in Canada, in regard to its ability to increase the mental health literacy of adolescents and young adults within the German school setting. Methods Data is currently being collected within the school setting from adolescents and young adults attending regular secondary schools and vocational schools in Germany at three different time points: (T0) before the intervention, (T1) afterwards and (T2) 2-3 months later. A control group will be questioned as well. Data collection takes place between February and December 2020. Results Till October 2020 a sample size of about 200 to 400 participants will be reached. It is expected that the intervention group will have a significantly higher increase in mental health literacy, more positive attitudes towards help-seeking and a decrease in stigmatizing attitudes towards mental illness compared to the control group. Conclusions It is expected that, the mental health Curriculum will show to be an effective way of promoting the mental health literacy of young people attending different school forms in Germany. A national wide implementation might be a promising public health measure for fostering good mental health and mental health literacy in adolescents and young people.

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.

Examining a Mental Health Literacy Intervention Among Economically Disadvantaged Youth

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 339-355
Author(s):  
Jayna Mumbauer-Pisano ◽  
Sejal Mehta Barden
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Economically Disadvantaged ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Literacy Intervention ◽  
Mental Health Stigma

Although mental health problems in adolescence are increasingly common, 60% of diagnosed youth do not receive appropriate mental health treatment. This service gap is even wider among adolescents from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, who face increased mental health stigma and barriers to treatment. Mental health literacy is a pivotal step in addressing the discrepancy between rates of mental health diagnoses and of individuals treated. This study evaluates the influence of a 6-week mental health literacy intervention on economically disadvantaged adolescents’ mental health literacy, implemented by counselors-in-training. From pretest to posttest, adolescents’ mental health knowledge and attitudes toward help-seeking significantly increased, while mental health stigma significantly decreased. These changes were sustained at 1-month follow-up. The results highlight the importance of brief mental health literacy interventions to encourage healthy coping and help-seeking and to dispel stigmatizing beliefs.

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.

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