Clarifying the concept of mental health literacy: Protocol for a scoping review

Abstract

This scoping review will map the peer-reviewed and grey literature, to clarify the concept of mental health literacy (MHL). MHL is an emerging area of study within mental health promotion, as programming and policy efforts devoted to promoting mental health emerge. Enhancing MHL in the general population is a strategy for promoting mental health by reducing stigma and empowering individuals to recognize, interpret, and understand their mental health, and know when to seek help for themselves and others. Despite the positive outcomes associated with MHL, conceptualization varies in scope, purpose, process, and outcome; there is little consensus of what “counts” as MHL. A clearly defined conceptualization of MHL is needed to support research, programing, and policy in mental health promotion. Papers on the theoretical and conceptual principles underlying MHL and primary studies documenting MHL initiatives, and methods, will be included. A scoping literature search will be performed following the search protocol for scoping reviews by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) to identify all relevant literature on MHL. Searches will be conducted in three scientific databases; there will be no time limit imposed, although all sources must be written in English. Identifying the conceptualizations of MHL in the literature that is guiding mental health interventions will provide conceptual clarity ultimately advancing knowledge of mental health literacy.