scholarly journals A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Effectiveness of Face-to-Face and Digital Training in Improving Child Mental Health Literacy Rates in Frontline Pediatric Hospital Staff

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer O'Connell ◽  
Roz Shafran ◽  
Helen Pote
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Helping Behavior ◽  
Pediatric Hospital ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Digital Training

Background: Children with chronic physical health conditions are up to six times more likely to develop a mental health condition than their physically well peers. Frontline pediatric hospital staff are in a good position to identify mental health problems and facilitate appropriate support for patients. To date, no evaluation of mental health literacy training has taken place with this professional group to enable early identification of difficulties. It is also not known whether face-to-face or digital training is more effective or preferable in this setting. To improve the skills of frontline hospital staff, a face-to-face and digital mental health literacy training course was delivered using MindEd content and evaluated in a randomized controlled trial.Method: Two-hundred and three frontline staff across different professions from a tertiary pediatric hospital were randomized to a face-to-face (n = 64), digital (n = 71), or waitlist control group (n = 68). Face-to-face training was two and a half hours and digital training took ~1 h. The effects of training were evaluated pre- and post-training and at two-week follow-up. Questionnaires assessed mental health knowledge, stigma, confidence in recognizing concerns and knowing what to do, actual helping behavior, as well as training delivery preference, completion rate, and satisfaction.Results: Both face-to-face and digital training increased mental health knowledge, confidence in recognizing mental health problems and knowing what to do compared to waitlist controls. Digital training increased actual helping behavior relative to the waitlist controls and stigma decreased across all groups. Staff were satisfied with both delivery methods but preferred face-to-face training.Conclusions: The results provide promising findings that digital content is an effective way of improving mental health literacy in frontline pediatric hospital staff. Providing digital training could be a time-efficient way of upskilling non-mental health professionals to identify mental health needs in a pediatric population and facilitate access to appropriate care.

scholarly journals Promotion of Mental Health Literacy in Adolescents: A Scoping Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (18) ◽  
pp. 9500
Author(s):  
Joana Nobre ◽  
Ana Paula Oliveira ◽  
Francisco Monteiro ◽  
Carlos Sequeira ◽  
Carme Ferré-Grau
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Classroom Environment ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Stigma Reduction ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
School Settings ◽  
Good Mental Health

In recent years, there has been an important commitment to the development of programs to promote mental health literacy (MHL) among adolescents, due to the prevalence of mental health problems and the low level of MHL that affects this group. The aim of this study was to map the structure and context of programmes/interventions for promoting MHL among adolescents in school settings. A scoping review was conducted following the guidelines of The Joanna Briggs Institute. We searched for studies on programmes/interventions promoting at least one of the components of MHL of adolescents, written in Portuguese, English or Spanish, published from 2013 to 2020, in MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, SciELO, SCOPUS, OpenGrey, RCAAP and in the article reference lists. This review included 29 articles. The majority of programmes/interventions addressed one or more of the four components of MHL, with the knowledge of mental disorders and stigma reduction components being the most covered; were taught by adolescent’s regular teachers; used face to face interventions; had a height variable duration; used non-validated instruments; were implemented in a classroom environment; and showed statistically significant improvements in adolescent’s MHL levels. More research is needed to implement/construct programmes/interventions promoting adolescents’ MHL concerning knowledge on how to obtain and maintain good mental health.

scholarly journals A survey of mental health literacy in Japanese high school teachers

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoshi Yamaguchi ◽  
Jerome Clifford Foo ◽  
Yuko Kitagawa ◽  
Fumiharu Togo ◽  
Tsukasa Sasaki
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
High School ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Panic Disorder ◽  
High School Teachers ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Mental Health Knowledge

Abstract Background School teachers are well-positioned to recognize mental health problems in their students and to help them seek appropriate help. Therefore, teachers need to have high levels of mental health literacy (MHL). In East Asia, however, few studies have examined MHL levels in teachers. In this study, MHL levels were investigated in Japanese teachers. Methods Teachers (n = 665) from 27 Japanese high schools answered a self-administered questionnaire which assessed (a) knowledge about mental health/illnesses, (b) correct recognition of specific illnesses (depression, schizophrenia and panic disorder), (c) confidence in helping students with depressive symptoms, and (d) confidence in teaching mental health knowledge to students. Results The average proportion of correct answers to the knowledge questions (n = 20) was 58.1%. The proportion of those who correctly answered about the presence of a sharp increase of mental illnesses in adolescence was 51.7%. Few teachers correctly answered about the life-time prevalences of major mental illness in general (21.9%), depression (37.8%) and schizophrenia (19.8%). Depression, schizophrenia and panic disorder in vignette were correctly recognized by 54.1, 35.3 and 78.0% of teachers, respectively. Correct recognition was significantly lower in male than in female teachers. Only a small proportion of teachers had confidence in helping depressed students (19.9%) and in teaching mental health knowledge to students (11.1%). Conclusions MHL in Japanese high school teachers appears to be low. Education programs should be developed and implemented to improve teacher MHL with the aim of helping them to support students suffering from 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.

scholarly journals Mental health literacy among pediatric hospital staff in the United Arab Emirates

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nabeel Al-Yateem ◽  
Rachel Rossiter ◽  
Walter Robb ◽  
Alaa Ahmad ◽  
Mahmoud Saleh Elhalik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Pediatric Hospital

scholarly journals Mental health literacy among caregivers of persons with mental illness: A descriptive survey

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (03) ◽  
pp. 355-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijayalakshmi Poreddi ◽  
Raju BIrudu ◽  
Rohini Thimmaiah ◽  
Suresh Bada Math
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Tertiary Care Centre ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Descriptive Survey

ABSTRACT Background: Despite of growing evidence of mental disorders in developing countries, research on mental health literacy is limited from India. Aim: To examine mental health literacy among caregivers of persons with mental illness Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was carried out among 161 randomly selected caregivers of persons with mental illness at outpatient department of a tertiary care centre. Data was collected through face to face interview using a structured questionnaire. Results: Regarding the causes of mental illness, a majority agreed that genetic inheritance (69%), substance abuse (64%) and brain disease (59.6%) are main factors for developing mental illness. Although more than two-thirds agreed that anyone could suffer from mental illness, 61.5% also agreed that people with mental health problems are largely to blame for their condition. The majority of the participants also agreed that mentally ill are not able to maintain friendships (45.9%), are dangerous (54%), and not capable to work (59.1%). Just over half (55.9%) of the participants would not want people to know if they had a mental illness and nearly half of them also expressed that they would feel ashamed if a family member had a mental illness. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study researchers suggest that there is an urgent need to educate and change the attitudes of caregivers through mental health literacy programs specifically designed for them.

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

Work ◽  
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.

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.

scholarly journals Teacher Mental Health Literacy: Results from a State-wide Survey in Schools

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
U Bauer ◽  
O Okan ◽  
F Faulbaum
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
School Mental Health ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Mental Health Promotion ◽  
Parental Mental Health ◽  
Whole School

Abstract Background Teachers have an important role to play in context of mental health literacy (MHL) promotion of school-aged children. Their MHL is seen as the counterpart of student`s health literacy. Especially vulnerable schoolchildren such as those affected by adverse life events (e.g. parental mental health problems) can benefit from programs. In addition, the whole school environment has impact on school mental health promotion. Yet, only little evidence is available on teachers MHL in Europe. The aim is to provide evidence from a state-wide survey on the state of MHL of teachers in Germany. Methods Based on semi-structured interviews with school teachers from all school types in one federal state, including primary and secondary schools, a MHL online questionnaire was developed. The survey was conducted in in 2017 in N = 2500 teachers in Germany. Descriptive and regression analyse have been performed. Results Teachers feel considerable uncertainties when working with children affected by adversities related to parental mental health problems. Dealing with the social family background seems hard. Teachers state that they don`t feel comfortable when aiming at mental health promotion of affected children or children in general. Data also show that they may tend to make misjudgements, and that they are not sufficiently trained to address mental health issues in the classrooms. Regression models show that the degree and quality of teaching mental health is affected by differences across school forms, satisfaction with and engagement of school principals in mental health action, learned strategies to respond to parents, and experienced stress, burden and exposure during their work. Conclusions Increasing teacher MHL and the environmental capacities and responsiveness towards school mental health promotion should be an important capacity building strategy. Policy support for school mental health promotion is a critical means to sustain effective whole-school approaches.

scholarly journals Development and validation of the Espaijove.net mental health literacy (EMHL) test for Spanish adolescents

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pere Castellvi ◽  
Rocio Casanas ◽  
Victoria-Mailen Arfuch ◽  
Juan-José Gil Moreno ◽  
María Torres Torres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Cronbach’S Alpha ◽  
Cronbach's Alpha ◽  
Mental Health Knowledge ◽  
Different Levels

Abstract Background There is evidence of the effectiveness of implementing Mental Health Literacy (MHL) programs in improving mental health knowledge and reducing the stigma. However, there are substantial limitations in the instruments of measurement of mental health literacy. This study aimed to develop and validate the EspaiJove.net MHL test (EMHL) for Spanish adolescents assessing its psychometric properties.Methods The development of the EMHL as a maximum performance test was conducted using item pool generation and pilot study. Content generation was assessed according item relevance by mental health professionals’ and comprehensive and non-offensiveness by adolescents’ focus groups. A convenience sample of high school students aged 13-15y (n=355) participated in the validity study. Reliability was assessed with internal consistency and test-retest. Convergent validity was evaluated comparing effect size among known groups with different levels of mental health knowledge, correlation with mental health-related instruments, and item discrimination index.Results A final version of 35-item EMHL test was obtained with two parts: (i) 1st part consist of binary choice format (yes/no) for the identification of mental disorders; (ii) The part 2 has multiple choice questions with four possible answer options based on the thematic contents of the EspaiJove.net program. Internal consistency was acceptable in the 1st part (Cronbach’s alpha=0.744; Guttman’s lambda 2=0.773) and almost acceptable in the 2nd part (Cronbach’s alpha=0.615; Guttman’s lambda 2=0.643). The test-retest evaluation supported the stability of the test (1st part, ICC= 0.578; 2nd part, ICC= 0.422), no ceiling and floor effects were found. The EMHL test scores discriminated known groups with different levels of mental health knowledge, it is associated with a reduction of related-stigma, emotional symptoms, conduct problems and bullying behaviours and anxiety/depression and self-care quality of life (p<0.05), and it shows a strong discrimination index in almost all items (D≥0.40).Conclusions The EMHL test is a relevant measure for mental health prevention and promotion adapted to Spanish context taking into account the opinion of adolescents, using a non-offensive and adolescent-adapted vocabulary with acceptable validity and stability for assessing MHL levels in adolescents.

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