Abstract
PurposeMental health literacy (MHL) is key for mental health development, particularly in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC) where mental health resources are limited. MHL development can be thought of as occurring at two levels: the individual person level (via direct contact, with specifically-targeted individuals), and the public health level (via indirect contact through public media, targeting the general public). Each approach has advantages and disadvantages.MethodsThe present mixed methods study assessed the status of and best approaches for development of mental health literacy in the Southeast Asian LMIC Vietnam. Because there has been relatively little discussion of MHL development at the public health level, this assessment focused on the public health level, although not exclusively. Because mental health professionals generally have the most in-depth understanding of their mental health system, study participants were 82 Vietnamese mental health professionals who completed a quantitative survey, with 48 participating in focus groups.ResultsMost of the professionals viewed MHL in Vietnam as low or very low, and that it was difficult or very difficult for the general public to find effective mental health services. Main barriers underlying these problems and more generally for developing MHL in Vietnam identified in the focus groups were: (a) misinformation in the media regarding mental health and mental illness; (b) lack of licensure for non-medical mental health professionals (e.g., psychologists; social workers); (c) lack of interest in mental health from upper-level leadership.ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study assessing professionals’ perceptions regarding mental health literacy at both the public health and individual-person levels. Although sampling was restricted to Vietnamese professionals, results may provide initial preliminary guidance for other LMIC considering mental health literacy development at multiple levels.
Highlights
The term “mental health literacy” was defined by Jorm [1] as knowledge and beliefs about mental health disorders that aid in their recognition, management, and / or prevention
Most of the professionals viewed Mental health literacy (MHL) in Vietnam as low or very low, and that it was difficult or very difficult for the general public to find effective mental health services. Main barriers underlying these problems and more generally for developing MHL in Vietnam identified in the focus groups were: (a) misinformation in the media regarding mental health and mental illness; (b) lack of licensure for non-medical mental health professionals; (c) lack of interest in mental health from upper-level leadership
Sampling was restricted to Vietnamese professionals, results may provide initial preliminary guidance for other low-andmiddle-income countries (LMIC) considering mental health literacy development at multiple levels
Summary
The term “mental health literacy” was defined by Jorm [1] as knowledge and beliefs about mental health disorders that aid in their recognition, management, and / or prevention. The first level is the individual person level, which involves development of mental health literacy through (a1) direct contact with (a2) targeted persons. This includes, for instance, mental health literacy programs provided in specific schools for specific identified staff and/or students. The second level at which mental health literacy development can occur is the public health level, which is broader and involves (b1) non-direct contact (e.g., via television and the internet) targeting (b2) the general public rather than specific individuals, via public health campaigns. The Australian “beyondblue” national depression program, for instance, involved a variety of community awareness campaigns (via the TV, etc.) intended to increase the general public’s mental health literacy regarding depression
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have