Understandings of mental health, disclosure, help-seeking and psychological adaptation among Asian international students studying in Scotland: a sequential multi-method study

International students often face psychosocial, academic, financial and adaptation challenges within the Higher Education (HE) environment that may impact on their mental health. The current study explored the understandings and experiences of Asian international students (AISs) in terms of mental health, disclosure, help-seeking and adaptation specific to cultural relocation within Scotland. A sequential multi-method approach was adopted consisting of two studies: (1) a qualitative study using individual semi-structured interviews with AISs (n=10) (Study 1) and (2) a cross-section survey comparing AISs and non-AISs (n=172) in terms of mental health literacy and psychological adaptation within the Scottish context (Study 2). Qualitative data were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using a thematic approach. Quantitative data were analysed using regression and mediation analysis. Study 1 revealed three themes: (1) Negative beliefs, stigma and fear of judgment impacting on understandings and disclosure of mental health issues, (2) Adaptation and acculturation difficulties (lack of sense of belonging), and (3) Barriers in communication and social disconnection. Study 2 showed that AISs reported lower levels of mental health literacy, which in turn resulted in poorer psychological adaption compared to non-AISs. Supporting AISs in HE institutions involves challenging negative judgements surrounding mental health, increasing mental health literacy and addressing barriers in overcoming adaptation, acculturation and communication difficulties that may inhibit disclosure and help-seeking behaviour. The importance of mental health policies, supports and services in embracing culturally diverse understandings of mental health, challenging stigma and having culturally competent staff supporting student mental health within a multicultural learning environment is emphasised.

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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.

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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

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Counsellor-in-Residence: Evaluation of a Residence-Based Initiative to Promote Student Mental Health

Canadian Journal of Higher Education ◽

10.47678/cjhe.v48i2.187978 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 55-73 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Tiffany Anne Beks ◽

Sharon L Cairns ◽

Serena Smygwaty ◽

Olga A.L. Miranda Osorio ◽

Sheldon J Hill

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

International Students ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Mental Health Literacy ◽

Well Being ◽

Domestic Students ◽

Counselling Services ◽

Resilience Scale ◽

Health Programming ◽

Target Male

Many universities have implemented campus-based initiatives addressing students’ mental health with the goal of promoting well-being. One such initiative is the newly developed Counsellor-in-Residence (CIR) program at the University of Calgary, which targets students’ mental health by providing residence-based counselling services and mental health programming. In this process evaluation, students completed three waves of data collection conducted over the academic year. Each wave measured students’ mental health literacy, using the Mental Health Literacy Scale (O’Connor & Casey, 2015), and resiliency, using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-25 (Connor & Davidson, 2003). Males reported lower mental health literacy than females (p < .001), and international students reported lower mental health literacy than domestic students (p < .001). No differences in resilience levels were found between groups. These findings suggest that male and international students experience additional barriers to accessing campus-based mental health services. Implications for residence-based mental health programming that target male and international students are discussed.

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Mental Health Literacy, Help-Seeking, and Mental Health Outcomes in Women Rugby Players

Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal ◽

10.1123/wspaj.2020-0066 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Shakiba Oftadeh-Moghadam ◽

Paul Gorczynski

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Mental Health Literacy ◽

Well Being ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Multidisciplinary Teams ◽

And Bisexual ◽

Rugby Players

Within rugby, a plethora of research has focused on male rugby players, with some recent attention being directed to examining their mental health. Such attention has not been evident for their female rugby counterparts. The aims of this study were to ascertain levels of mental health literacy (MHL) and explore demographic differences in United Kingdom semielite rugby players who identified as women, and examine whether MHL is associated with better mental health outcomes and general help-seeking intentions. In total, 208 semielite women rugby players completed an online multisection questionnaire measuring MHL, general help-seeking intentions, distress, and well-being. Overall, most players scored a low rating of well-being; however, those who indicated a previous mental health problem exhibited significantly higher levels of MHL. Players were more likely to display general help-seeking intentions toward an intimate partner or a friend than a health care professional. High levels of distress were reported in 64.4% of players, particularly those who had been previously medically diagnosed with a mental disorder and bisexual rugby players. MHL was significantly, positively correlated with general help-seeking intentions, but not significantly correlated with distress or well-being. This study is the first to examine MHL in women rugby players and suggests that strategies devised by multidisciplinary teams of experts to help promote, engage, and offer tailored mental health support to women rugby players would be beneficial. Further investigations exploring the determinants of, and barriers to, MHL among women rugby players would be worthwhile to better understand and support players throughout their sporting career.

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Examining mental health literacy, help-seeking behaviours, distress, and wellbeing in UK coaches

European Physical Education Review ◽

10.1177/1356336x19887772 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 713-726 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Paul Gorczynski ◽

Kass Gibson ◽

Nathan Clarke ◽

Tyrone Mensah ◽

Rory Summers

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Media ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Health Services ◽

Mental Disorder ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Mental Health Literacy ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Previous Diagnosis ◽

Help Seeking Behaviour

Although research has explored stress in coaches, little is known about their mental health literacy and how this is associated with their mental health. Their mental health literacy may have an impact on the wellbeing of their young players. This study examined levels of mental health literacy, help-seeking behaviours, distress, and wellbeing, as well as relationships amongst these variables, in coaches in the United Kingdom. Coaches were recruited through social media and asked to fill out questionnaires. A total of 103 coaches ( n = 65 men, n = 37 women, n = 1 other gender) participated in the study. Coaches had an average age of 27.9 (SD = 10.6) years. Most self-identified as heterosexual ( n = 85, 82.5%), had four or more years of experience ( n = 46, 44.7%), coached children ( n = 77, 74.8%), and coached at either the beginner ( n = 30, 29.1%) or amateur levels ( n = 66, 64.1%). In total, 20 (19.4%) coaches indicated a previous diagnosis of a mental disorder. A total of 51 (49.5%) coaches indicated that, at the time of the completion of the survey, they exhibited symptoms of a mental disorder. Overall, the average mental health literacy score was 123.10 and lower than in previous studies. Mental health literacy was not significantly associated with help-seeking behaviour, distress, or wellbeing. General help-seeking behaviour was positively correlated with wellbeing. The results suggest that coach certification programmes could adopt strategies to help coaches improve their knowledge of mental health services and how such services may be accessed. These changes may improve the wellbeing of coaches and may benefit their athletes.

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

The Educational and Developmental Psychologist ◽

10.1017/edp.2019.1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 36 (01) ◽

pp. 16-21 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

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.

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