The predictors of mental health literacy among adolescents students

Abstract

AimThis study aimed to examine levels of mental health literacy (MHL) and associated factors among adolescents. MethodsA descriptive, cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted with a total of 650 students aged 11–18 years in three middle and three high schools. Data were collected using the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Literacy Scale and evaluated using descriptive statistics and regression analysis to determine whether age, gender, and grade are predictive factors of MHL. ResultsThe mean age of the participants in the study was 16.8 ± 1.35 years, 55 % of the students were girls, and the mean MHL score was 3.96 ± 1.2, indicating moderate MHL. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the variables of age, gender, and grade explained 5.5 % of the variance in MHL score. When these variables were examined individually, gender and grade had no significant effect (p > 0.05), while older age was associated with higher MHL score (p < 0.05). ConclusionThe results of this study showed that MHL improved with age. MHL promotion is important in mental health resilience. Collaboration between school nurses, school counselors, and psychiatric nurses to provide mental health educational interventions may help reduce stigma and increase help-seeking behaviors.