scholarly journals Associations between dimensions of Mental Health Literacy and adolescent help-seeking intentions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Goodfellow ◽  
Anna Macintyre ◽  
Lee Knifton ◽  
Edward Sosu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Problem ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Treatment Efficacy ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Informal Help

Background: Adolescence is a critical period for the development of mental health problems. However low mental health literacy (MHL) may impede help-seeking for these problems. Although MHL is a multidimensional construct and adolescent help-seeking can be through formal and informal means, little is known about how dimensions of MHL influence these help-seeking intentions. This study examines associations between dimensions of MHL and formal and informal help-seeking intentions among adolescents. It also investigates whether informal help-seeking mediates the association between dimensions of MHL and formal help-seeking, and whether these associations are moderated by gender. Methods: A cross-sectional survey including measures of MHL, and help-seeking intentions was distributed to participants in ten schools (12-18 years) across Scotland (n = 734). Data were analysed using Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Results: CFA identified two distinct dimensions of MHL: ability to identify a mental health problem, and knowledge of treatment efficacy. Only knowledge of treatment efficacy was associated with increased intention to seek formal and informal help. Ability to identify a mental health problem was negatively associated with both forms of help-seeking intention. Informal help-seeking mediated the association between both forms of MHL and formal help-seeking. Gender did not moderate associations between MHL and help-seeking. Conclusions: Distinct dimensions of MHL have disparate associations with adolescent help-seeking intention. Care should be taken when providing MHL interventions to ensure that adaptive forms of MHL are equally promoted. Future research should investigate possible mechanisms by which discrete forms of MHL influence adolescent help-seeking.

Can Digital Health Interventions Improve Parents’ Mental Health Literacy or Help-seeking for Child Mental Health? A Systematic Review (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harriet Hiscock ◽  
Marquelle Goods ◽  
Marquelle Goods
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Problem ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Child Mental Health ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Health Interventions

UNSTRUCTURED Introduction: Many children with a mental health problem do not receive professional help. Despite frequent use of digital health interventions (DHI) such as websites or online service navigation platforms for child mental health, their effects on parent’s mental health knowledge, help-seeking or uptake of professional services for their child are unclear. Methods: Systematic review and narrative synthesis to describe whether DHIs improve the above parental outcomes and whether they are cost-effective. CINAHL, EMBASE, Medline OVID, PsycInfo and PubMed were searched from 2000-2020. Studies were included if they evaluated quantitative changes in mental health literacy, help-seeking or uptake of services by parents of children with a mental health problem. Data extraction: Theoretical framework, sample size, participant demographics, recruitment, intervention, DHI usage, results and health economic measures. Results: From 11,379 search results, five studies met inclusion criteria. One randomized controlled trial found reduced uptake of services after using a DHI coupled with a telephone coach for a child’s behavioral problem. Two of three studies found statistically significant improvement in mental health literacy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder but had no control group. One study found non-significant improvement in mental health literacy and help-seeking attitudes for anxiety and depression compared to an active control. No studies reported on cost-effectiveness. All studies were rated at least high or serious risk of bias. Discussion: Despite their use, there is no high-quality evidence that DHIs can improve parents’ mental health literacy, help-seeking or uptake of services. Limitations include a single reviewer screening articles and overall low-quality studies. More research is needed to evaluate DHIs using rigorous study designs, consistent measures and cost analyses.

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

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.

Mental Health Literacy, Help-Seeking Behaviour and Wellbeing in Young People: Implications for Practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (01) ◽  
pp. 16-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prishini Ratnayake ◽  
Chelsea Hyde
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Young People ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour

AbstractResearch indicates that individuals who have high levels of mental health literacy engage in help-seeking for mental health issues more in comparison to those with low mental health literacy. It is therefore important to ensure that young people are able to identify signs of psychological distress and identify appropriate supports and resources when necessary. Preliminary research has identified gender differences in help-seeking and identification of mental health problems. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between mental health literacy, help-seeking intentions and wellbeing in senior high school students. The sample consisted of 22 females and 10 male students, ranging from 16–18 years. Findings indicated a positive correlation between wellbeing and general help-seeking, as well as wellbeing and help-seeking for suicidal ideation. Gender differences were identified for aspects of mental health literacy and help-seeking intentions. Results of this research have implications for practitioners in fostering positive outcomes and developing targeted interventions towards improving mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviour in the future.

Mental health literacy and help-seeking among unemployed people with mental health problems

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 270-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara Waldmann ◽  
Tobias Staiger ◽  
Nathalie Oexle ◽  
Nicolas Rüsch
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Unemployed 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.

scholarly journals Does mental health literacy influence help-seeking behavior in medical students?

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Nandini Amithya Pramesi Lumaksono ◽  
Pudji Lestari ◽  
Azimatul Karimah
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Help Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Good Attitude

Introduction: Medical students are experiencing uncertainty in finding the appropriate help for their mental health problems. When they finally decide to seek help, some of them are already in a mental crisis. The suitable indicator for early identification of mental disorder is mental health literacy. Mental health literacy also functions as a tool to decrease stigma towards people with mental illness and to improve help-seeking behavior. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of mental health literacy to help-seeking behavior and to describe mental health literacy and help-seeking behavior of the medical students.Methods: The study design was observational analytical. Participants filled demographic data and answered questionnaire via an online file sharing platform. The questionnaires used in this study were Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS) and Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Short Form (ATSPPH-SF). The influence of mental health literacy to help-seeking behavior was analyzed using logistic regression analysis.  Results: The respondents were 60 medical students. No differences of literacy and attitude were found across the admission years. Overall, the students had good literacy and attitude. Students showed lower scores in the MHLS attributes containing ideas about self-treatments, confidentiality, social distance, and reliance on self. Being literate in the total score of MHLS did not influence on having a good attitude in ATSPPH-SF (p=0.303). Only by being literate in attitudes that promote recognition and help-seeking, the students showed a good attitude in ATSPPH-SF (p-value=0.027).  Conclusion: There was no influence on mental health literacy to help-seeking behavior.

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.

Influence of Gender on Mental Health Literacy in Young Australians

2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (9) ◽  
pp. 790-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue M. Cotton ◽  
Annemarie Wright ◽  
Meredith G. Harris ◽  
Anthony F. Jorm ◽  
Patrick D. Mcgorry
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Young People ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Service Delivery ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Computer Assisted

Objectives: To determine the effects of gender on mental health literacy in young people between 12 and 25 years of age. Design: Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing was employed to conduct a crosssectional structured interview focusing on young people's awareness of depression and psychosis. Participants: The sample comprised 1207 young Australians (539 males and 668 females) between the ages of 12-25 recruited from two metropolitan and two regional areas within Victoria. Six hundred and six respondents were presented a depression vignette and 601 were presented a psychosis vignette. Results: Female respondents (60.7%) were significantly more likely to correctly identify depression in the vignette as compared to male respondents (34.5%). No significant gender differences were noted for the psychosis vignette. Males were less significantly likely to endorse seeing a doctor or psychologist/counsellor for the treatment of psychosis. Males were also significantly more likely than females to endorse alcohol as a way of dealing with depression and antibiotics as useful for dealing with psychosis. Conclusion: Gender differences in mental health literacy are striking. Males showed significantly lower recognition of symptoms associated with mental illness and were more likely endorse the use alcohol to deal with mental health problems. Such factors may contribute to the delays in help seeking seen in young males. Further research is needed to delineate how these gender differences in young people may obstruct help seeking, early intervention and other aspects of mental health service delivery.

scholarly journals Examining mental health literacy, help seeking behaviours, and mental health outcomes in UK university students

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Gorczynski ◽  
Wendy Sims-schouten ◽  
Denise Hill ◽  
Janet Clare Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
University Students ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour

Purpose Many university students in the UK experience mental health problems and little is known about their overall mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviours. The purpose of this paper is to ascertain levels of mental health literacy in UK university students and to examine whether mental health literacy is associated with better mental health outcomes and intentions to seek professional care. Design/methodology/approach A total of 380 university students at a university in the south of England completed online surveys measuring multiple dimensions of mental health literacy, help-seeking behaviour, distress, and well-being. Findings Mental health literacy in the students sampled was lower than seen in previous research. Women exhibited higher levels of mental health literacy than men and postgraduate students scored higher than undergraduate students. Participants with previous mental health problems had higher levels of mental health literacy than those with no history of mental health problems. Individuals were most likely to want to seek support from a partner or family member and most participants indicated they would be able to access mental health information online. Mental health literacy was significantly positively correlated with help-seeking behaviour, but not significantly correlated with distress or well-being. Practical implications Strategies, such as anonymous online resources, should be designed to help UK university students become more knowledgeable about mental health and comfortable with seeking appropriate support. Originality/value This study is the first to examine multiple dimensions of mental health literacy in UK university students and compare it to help-seeking behaviour, distress, and well-being.

scholarly journals Help-seeking for mental health problems from the patient perspective – A qualitative study / Das Hilfe(auf)suchen bei psychischen Gesundheitsproblemen aus der Betroffenenperspektive – Eine qualitative Studie

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Tola ◽  
Petra Metzenthin ◽  
Claudia Mischke
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problem ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Social Problems ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Patients Experience

Abstract Background: Early specialised care is important for those with mental health problems to prevent e.g. chronic progression. Targeted professionally initiated intervention to stabilise mental health status is only possible if affected individuals actively seek support. The reasons for inadequate use of qualified services have not been sufficiently investigated from the perspectives of those affected. There is only limited insight into the help-seeking behaviour of those with mental health issues. Aim: This study sheds light on the ‘experience’ of help-seeking to time of first contact with a psychiatric institution. It specifically concentrates on the perspective of those affected and their subjective problems. Method: Using a qualitative-inductive design, patients at a crisis centre were retrospectively interviewed using a guideline-supported approach. Interview results were analysed using Saldaña (2013) opening coding (two circles). Results: The patients’ experience can be categorised as ‘real’ problems as the cause, exacerbated mental health problems and utilising mental health services. Help-seeking is determined by the need to manage causal, ‘real’ (everyday, social) problems. Many mental health problem have long not been recognised as such, and thus help-seeking is initially focussed on ‘real’ problems. At all levels of help-seeking, from recognition of a mental health Problem to overcoming barriers preventing use of specialised help, affected persons require the support of third parties. Conclusions: The results indicate the need for a patient-orientated transformation of mental health primary care to provide for more easily accessible services that take into account the everyday and social problems of those with related problems.

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