Mental Health Knowledge Research Articles

Mental health treatments and the influence of culture: portrayals of hypnotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy in Singaporean television dramas

Stigma is one of the chief reasons for treatment-avoidant behaviour among people with mental health conditions. Stigmatising attitudes are spread through multiple determinants, including but not limited to: (i) individual...

“If you’re struggling, you don’t really care” – what affects the physical health of young people on child and adolescent mental health inpatient units? A qualitative study with service users and staff

BackgroundPhysical health inequalities of people with serious mental illness (SMI) have been labelled an international scandal; due to the 15–20-year reduction in life expectancy associated with poor physical health. This occurs at an early stage and evidence shows young people with and at risk for SMI are a particularly vulnerable group requiring intervention and support. However, most work has been conducted with adults and little is known about what affects physical health for young people, specifically those receiving inpatient care.MethodsWe conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 7 service users and 6 staff members (85% female, age 14–42) on a generic mental health inpatient unit for children and adolescents. Interviews aimed to identify how young people viewed theirphysical health and factors affecting physical health and lifestyle and identify any support needed to improve physical health. Thematic analysis was conducted. .ResultsThematic analysis revealed the main factors affecting physical health and lifestyle for young people. Three main themes were individual factors (subthemes were mental health symptoms, knowledge, attitudes and beliefs), environmental factors (subthemes were opportunities in a restricted environment and food provision), and the influence of others (subthemes were peers, staff, family members). These factors often overlapped and could promote a healthy lifestyle or combine to increase the risk of poor physical health. Young people discussed their preferences for physical health initiatives and what would help them to live a healthier lifestyle.ConclusionsPromoting physical health on inpatient units for young people is an important, yet neglected area of mental health research. We have identified a range of complex factors which have an impact on their physical health, and there is a pervasive need to address the barriers that young people experience to living a healthy lifestyle. There is an increasingly strong evidence base suggesting the benefits of physical health interventions to improve outcomes, and future work should identify ways to implement such interventions considering the barriers discussed in this article. Further collaborative research is needed with young people, clinical teams, caregivers, and commissioners to ensure improvements are made to clinical care provision and optimisation of the inpatient environment.

P-491 Reproductive mental health empowerment: enhancing mental health literacy among women with reproductive health issues

Abstract Study question What is the role of mental health literacy and its impact on women’s help-seeking when there are reproductive mental health issues? Summary answer Mental health literacy and attitudes toward seeking professional help significantly predict one’s emotional well-being and help-seeking behaviour. What is known already Women who encounter reproductive health issues can experience an array of physical issues as well as emotional hurdles. There are barriers at the societal level that impede women from addressing these reproductive health-related mental health challenges, such as social stigma, lack of attention on mental wellness and a disproportionate amount of focus on the fertility treatments’ outcomes. There is limited understanding regarding the relationship between women’s reproductive mental health literacy and their tendencies to seek help in the literature. Study design, size, duration This study used cross-sectional data from an online questionnaire that explored the participants’ reproductive mental health literacy, attitudes towards seeking professional help and their actual help-seeking behaviour. Data were collected between July and September 2023. Participants/materials, setting, methods Participants were 356 Chinese women (mean age = 32.64±7.15) recruited through community network and social media. Participants answered questions related to their knowledge of mental illness, ability of seeking professional help, recognition of mental illness, acceptance of patients with mental illness, recognition of need for psychotherapeutic help, stigma tolerance, interpersonal openness, confidence in mental health practitioner, knowledge on community resource and their actual help seeking behaviour. Main results and the role of chance 59% of the participants attained a Bachelor’s degree or above and 74% were married. 43.5% of the participants experienced emotional disturbances triggered by reproductive health issues. Among these participants, 52% chose not to seek help from others. Among different types of reproductive problems, participants with fertility and reproductive health problem scored lowest in terms of help-seeking behavior (M = .28, SD = .45, p<.05., reproductive mental health knowledge (M = 27.29, SD = 4.39, p<.01), recognition of mental illness (M = 16.73, SD = 4.0,p<.05), recognition of need for psychotherapeutic help (M = 17.99, SD = 3.63, p<.01), and interpersonal openness (M = 16.85, SD = 3.35, p<.01). In terms of emotional disturbances, the result indicated that acceptance of patients with mental illness (b = -.035, p <.05) and recognition of the need for psychotherapeutic help (b = .068, p <.05) predicted the numbers of emotional disturbances one experienced. In terms of help-seeking behaviour, knowledge of mental illness (B = 1.30, p < .01), recognition of the need for psychotherapeutic help (B = 1.49, p < .01), and knowledge of community resources (B = 2.15, p < .01) significantly predicted one’s actual help-seeking behaviour. Limitations, reasons for caution There may be potential confounding factors that influenced the results, such as previous mental health history and use of mental health facilities. The ability to establish a causal relationship between reproductive mental health literacy, help-seeking attitude, and actual help-seeking is constrained due to the study’s utilization of a cross-sectional design. Wider implications of the findings Providing counseling for infertility plays a crucial role in addressing the emotional and psychological needs of individuals by reducing the stigma surrounding reproductive mental health challenges. Incorporating infertility counseling into fertility treatment empowers women with information and facilitates open and honest communication on mental well-being. Trial registration number Not applicable

Expressed Emotion as Moderator Between Openness to Experience and Help-Seeking Attitude Towards Telepsychology of Filipino Generation Zoomers

This study aimed to explore whether expressed emotion moderates Generation Z's openness to experience and help-seeking attitude toward telepsychology and the extent to which the expressed emotion modifies that relationship. A total of 395 people belonging to the said generation participated in an online survey accomplished through Google Forms. The study used a correlational research method that focused on moderation to examine the relationship between Generation Z's openness to experience and their attitude toward telepsychology. Hence, this study sought to increase Generation Z's knowledge of mental health, including Philippine mental health conditions, as they develop a sense of responsibility, reduce ambiguity through telepsychology platforms, and improve their communication skills, which are crucial for ideal emotional socialization. Results have shown that expressed emotion does not seem to have a noticeable effect on Generation Z's attitudes toward seeking help through telepsychology. Nevertheless, there was a favorable correlation between being open to new experiences and having a willingness to seek help through telepsychology. The study adds to the growing body of knowledge on the mental health dynamics of Filipino Generation Z, and it offers beneficial information for the generation, professionals in mental healthcare, educators, and policymakers looking for enhanced support systems and interventions that meet the specific psychological needs of Filipino Generation Zoomers. Keywords: expressed emotion; generation z; help-seeking attitude; openness to experience; telepsychology

Digital and Hybrid Pediatric and Youth Mental Health Program Implementation Challenges During the Pandemic: Literature Review With a Knowledge Translation and Theoretical Lens Analysis.

The pandemic brought unprecedented challenges for child and youth mental health. There was a rise in depression, anxiety, and symptoms of suicidal ideation. The aims of this knowledge synthesis were to gain a deeper understanding of what types of mental health knowledge translation (KT) programs, mental health first aid training, and positive psychology interventions were developed and evaluated for youth mental health. We undertook a literature review of PubMed and MEDLINE for relevant studies on youth mental health including digital and hybrid programs undertaken during the pandemic (2020-2022). A total of 60 studies were included in this review. A few KT programs were identified that engaged with a wide range of stakeholders during the pandemic, and a few were informed by KT theories. Key challenges during the implementation of mental health programs for youth included lack of access to technology and privacy concerns. Hybrid web-based and face-to-face KT and mental health care were recommended. Providers required adequate training in using telehealth and space. There is an opportunity to reduce the barriers to implementing tele-mental health in youth by providing adequate technological access, Wi-Fi and stationary internet connectivity, and privacy protection. Staff gained new knowledge and training from the pandemic experience of using telehealth, which will serve as a useful foundation for the future. Future research should aim to maximize the benefits of hybrid models of tele-mental health and face-to-face sessions while working on minimizing the potential barriers that were identified. In addition, future programs could consider combining mental health first aid training with hybrid digital and face-to-face mental health program delivery along with mindfulness and resilience building in a unified model of care, knowledge dissemination, and implementation.

The Relationship between Core Knowledge of Tuberculosis and Mental Health: a Cross-sectional Study among University Students in Tibet

The relationship between core knowledge of TB and mental health among students in a university was investigated. The results showed that the overall knowledge rate of core knowledge of tuberculosis was 71%. The main effects of coping style and standard level on mental health, anxiety, and self-denial were significant. In terms of mental health, the results had borderline significant, and the positive attitude of the not up to standard participants was conducive to a good mental state. This suggests that schools should not only strengthen the education of students on TB prevention and control but also cultivate positive attitudes among students.

A Novel Mental Health Curriculum Pilot for Pediatric Cardiology Fellows: Preparing the Subspecialist to Expand the Team.

Mental health (MH) is an important, yet understudied area of care for patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). Pediatric subspecialty fellows believe MH should be within their scope of practice, but few feel confident in their ability to appropriately screen, evaluate, manage, and make treatment referrals for youth with CHD and concurrent MH concerns. A 6-session, didactic-based curriculum was designed by an interprofessional team of experts. It was administered to pediatric cardiology fellows over 9months during two academic years. Topics included the following: Introduction to MH and CHD, MH Screening and Clinic-Based Interventions, Psychopharmacology, Delirium, Trauma-Informed Care, and Adult CHD and Transitional Care. An investigator-designed survey was developed to assess fellow comfort with MH knowledge, screening, and treatment recommendation domains. Twenty-three fellows participated with 14 completing the pre-post survey (58% participation, 11/17 in year 1, 3/6 in year 2). Most participants were in their first year of training (9/14, 57%). Overall, fellow comfort with MH topics increased significantly (mean score 2.89 ± 0.46 vs. 3.4 ± 0.4, p = 0.0005), with improved comfort in the MH knowledge (p = 0.003) and treatment recommendation domains (p = 0.001). A didactic-based MH curriculum improves the comfort of pediatric cardiology fellows to address the MH concerns of their patients. The topics in this curriculum will continue to be refined over time and could be generalized to training programs, both nationally and across pediatric specialties, to improve MH care for high-risk populations.

Awareness of postpartum depression among midwives and pregnant women in Arkhangelsk, Arctic Russia

ABSTRACT Background Postpartum depression (PPD) affects approximately 17% of the women worldwide with nearly half of all cases going undetected. More research on maternal mental health, particularly among healthcare professionals and pregnant mothers, could help identify PPD risks and reduce its prevalence. Objective Given that awareness of PPD is a crucial preventive factor, we studied PPD awareness among midwives and pregnant women in Arkhangelsk, Arctic Russia. Methods A qualitative study was conducted using in-depth semi-structured interviews. Midwives and pregnant women were recruited from the women’s clinic of the Arkhangelsk municipal polyclinic. Seven midwives and 12 pregnant mothers were interviewed. Results Midwives described limited time for psychological counselling of pregnant women; they reported that their primary focus was on the physiological well-being of women. Pregnant women have expressed a desire for their families to share responsibilities. The participants considered PPD as a mix of psychological and physiological symptoms, and they also highlighted a discrepancy between the expectations of pregnant women and the reality of motherhood. The present study underscored the limited understanding of PPD identification. Conclusions The findings suggest that there is a need for increased awareness among midwives and pregnant women regarding PPD. Prevention programs targeting PPD with a specific emphasis on enhancing maternal mental health knowledge are warranted.

Bringing Mental Health Knowledge to Schools Through Academic-Community Partnership: A City Year Tale of Equal Service to Training and Research

Bringing Mental Health Knowledge to Schools Through Academic-Community Partnership: A City Year Tale of Equal Service to Training and Research

Physiotherapists Lack Knowledge in Mental Health: A Survey of Knowledge and Attitudes of Physical Therapists About Their Role in Mental Health.

As the number of mental illnesses increases, there is a need to manage it holistically within a multidisciplinary team. The majority of patients with physical disabilities suffer from mental health problems, and physiotherapy can play a role in improving their lifestyle. This study aimed to determine physiotherapists' self-reported knowledge and attitudes regarding their role in treating patients with mental health disorders. This study adopted a descriptive, cross-sectional, and prospective observational survey design. The sample consisted of 208 physical therapists. The majority of the participants, (48%) had a positive attitude score, with (40%) having a neutral attitude and (12%) having a negative attitude toward treating patients with mental health issues. Most respondents (86%) reported that they need more information regarding patients with mental health disorders and physiotherapists' management of their physical health issues. Many physiotherapists lack knowledge and hold a neutral to negative attitude towards treating patients with mental disorders. This highlights the need for more training to fill the gap in knowledge and guide physiotherapists to build upon their positive attitude towards treating patients with mental disorders.

Self Identifying Mental Health Status and Get Guidance For Support Using AI

In recent years, an awareness has emerged about the importance of the individual in mental health and treatment. Mental health problems are common among college students around the world; Therefore, identifying at-risk groups will help provide services. Self-diagnosis of mental illness is an important step in recognizing and addressing personal health. Our goal is to develop a screening tool to identify students at risk for mental illness. Students are taught to use assessment tools to distinguish between those at reduced and increased risk of mental illness. Psychological services should be provided to students at risk. Despite the prevalence of psychological problems, problems such as fear of decision-making and lack of information often make it difficult for people to define themselves. The person may deny or ignore symptoms, which may delay the person's intervention and make the situation worse. Empowering people with mental health knowledge and resources can enable them to take part in their own health. As well as personal benefits, self-expression can promote understanding and acceptance and contribute to a culture of empathy and support. Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology holds both great promise and potential pitfalls in transforming mental health. This article discusses the current limitations of artificial intelligence, areas where further research is needed, and how it can improve healthcare by considering the ethical fairness of intellectual technology. As AI technology continues to evolve and improve, it may be able to help psychiatrists reclassify mental disorders beyond what is currently specified in the DSM-5, identifying these problems in their early or prodromal stages so that interventions can be implemented. . Quality and personalized treatment based on individual characteristics. However, caution must be exercised to avoid overinterpretation of preliminary results, and more studies must be conducted to close the gap in scientific expertise on mental health and treatment.

"It's really important work…and celebrating that, I think, is really important" - co-produced qualitative research into future of mental health nurse education.

The education of mental health nurses has long remained a contentious topic in the UK and internationally. This research seeks to gather the perspectives of those directly affected by mental health nurse education. To investigate what knowledge, skills and values current mental health nursing students, graduate mental health nurses and people with lived experience of accessing mental health services believe should be paramount within pre-registration education. Data was gathered through focus groups involving a mix of pre- and post-qualified mental health nurses and people with lived experience of accessing mental health services. Data was collected through audio recordings, which were transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis. The analysis generated four themes of: (i) Values and ethics-based education, (ii) Self-awareness, (iii) Understanding and therapeutically being with others and (iv) Specialism versus Genericism. The findings speak to the special nature of mental health nursing and the need for students to develop specialist mental health knowledge and skills, alongside self-knowledge. The findings provide a unique insight into the aspects of pre-registration nursing felt to be most valuable by the three participant groups in this study. The findings reiterate the importance nurse education celebrating the specialism of mental health nursing and adds to the growing weight of literature for increased specialism with future education standard reviews.

Psychological resilience and related factors among primary care workers in Wuhan, China: A cross-sectional study

PurposePrimary medical workers constitute a high-risk group for mental health problems, and psychological resilience might protect them from the negative psychological impacts of their work. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the current situation of psychological resilience among primary care workers in Wuhan, China, as well as related factors. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, a total of 417 primary care workers (30.0 % men; 38.5 ± 8.5 years old) were randomly selected to complete a questionnaire. The brief version of the National Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire and the Psychological Resilience Scale were used to assess participants’ mental health literacy and psychological resilience, respectively. Multiple linear regression was performed to identify factors associated with the psychological resilience of primary care workers. ResultsMore than four-fifths of the primary care workers included in this study exhibited appropriate levels of mental health knowledge. In terms of mental health skills, participants’ attainment rates, ranging from high to low, were 60.9 % for distracting attention, 45.3 % for interpersonal support and 43.9 % for cognitive reappraisal. The average psychological resilience score obtained by primary care workers was 27.81 ± 5.71, and the factors associated with increased psychological resilience included being male, being older, and possessing higher mental health skills, including skills pertaining to interpersonal support and distracting attention. ConclusionThe psychological resilience of primary care workers in Wuhan is at a moderate level and thus requires further improvement. Although these medical staff exhibit appropriate levels of mental health knowledge, their mental health skills are relatively poor, despite the fact that interpersonal support and distracting attention are significantly associated with psychological resilience. Hence, interventions targeting mental health skills are recommended to promote psychological resilience among primary care workers.

Mental Health First Aid for Black Populations: Recommendations From the Neighborhood Healers Project

Community-based participatory action research can facilitate counseling psychologists’ engagement in social justice to benefit Black people’s mental health. One way to improve Black mental health is to equip credible and trustworthy community members with mental health knowledge and skills to support other community members experiencing mental health challenges. This study presents the Neighborhood Healers Project—a community-based participatory action research project that trains Black adults (Neighborhood Healers Fellows) in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). During the inaugural 12-month fellowship year, we collected longitudinal qualitative data from N = 20 Fellows on the relevance of MHFA to Black people. In this paper, we examined their responses using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings included two themes with affiliated subthemes: (a) Liberatory Paradigm Shift and (b) For Us By Us: Culturally Relevant Curriculum. We conclude with implications for counseling psychologists.

Mental well-being and sleep quality among vocational college students in Sichuan, China during standardized COVID-19 management measures.

This research investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental well-being and sleep quality of students in higher vocational colleges in Sichuan, China, identifying key factors influencing their psychological health during this period. Between January and February 2022, a comprehensive survey was conducted among students from several higher vocational colleges in Sichuan, utilizing a randomized selection approach to involve 3,300 participants. Data were collected through direct interviews executed by skilled interviewers. Out of 3,049 valid responses, a significant number reported experiencing symptoms of poor mental health, anxiety, depression, and insomnia, with prevalence rates of 21.2%, 9.7%, 14.1%, and 81.9%, respectively. Factors contributing positively to mental health and sleep included a higher family economic status, reduced stress from the pandemic, and decreased online activity. Conversely, lack of physical activity post-pandemic, disruptions to education and employment, and deteriorating relationships emerged as negative influencers. Interestingly, a lack of pre-pandemic mental health knowledge acted as a protective factor against insomnia. The ongoing management of COVID-19 has notably influenced the psychological and sleep health of vocational college students, driven by economic, emotional, lifestyle, and educational factors. The findings underscore the necessity for targeted interventions to address these challenges effectively.

Remote mental health first aid training for correctional officers: A pilot study.

Mental health first aid (MHFA) training is a low-cost, evidence-based intervention that teaches trainees to recognize signs of mental distress. Thirty correctional officers (COs) were recruited to participate in a remote MHFA intervention study. The COs were divided into three MHFA training sessions, with no more than 10 COs per group. Data collection assessments included pretest and posttest surveys and a focus group meeting. Of the 30 eligible CO participants, 27 completed the study, including follow-up assessments. Nine COs participated in a focus group meeting-one third (n = 9) of the CO participants identified as female, and the remaining identified as male. Most CO participants self-identified as White (n = 17), and two thirds (n = 18) of the CO participants were 35-54 years old. There was a strong military influence, with about close to half (48%) of COs identifying as a veteran. A paired sample t test was used to analyze whether there were any differences in mental health knowledge scores from pre- and postintervention. There were no significant differences between the pre- and postintervention results for the five MHFA knowledge items. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze differences in pre- and postintervention data for mental health referral items. From pre- to posttraining, COs reported that it would be easier to make a mental health referral for someone experiencing a mental health challenge (Z = -2.087, p = .037). At 12 weeks, COs referred 2.6 (SD: 4.30, range 1-20) people incarcerated for mental health services. The reasons for referral included: "suicidal thoughts," "experiencing anxiety over being incarcerated during COVID," and "considering self-harm." A phenomenological approach was used to analyze the focus group meeting. The themes identified were: (a) COs experience with MHFA training was viewed positively (facilitators); (b) there is a need to improve mental wellness in correctional settings (barriers); and (c) mental health referral process for incarcerated individuals needs enhancement when implementing MHFA (barriers). MHFA training for COs is necessary to equip COs with the skills to safely support and refer incarcerated people experiencing a mental health crisis. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Mental health promotion and suicide prevention in emerging adulthood: importance of psychoeducational interventions in University students

Emerging adulthood is a stage that involves significant changes in emotional, social, academic, and work domains, which can often lead to high levels of stress and mental health challenges. The purpose of this study is to explore the potential benefits of an online intervention program that is based on mental health psychoeducation and suicide risk prevention for emerging adults who are studying at university. A psychoeducational intervention was conducted with 567 participants, of whom 82.2% were female, aged between 18 and 29 years (M = 20.31; SD = 2.089). The study examines the intervention’s direct impact on adaptive knowledge of suicide risk and mental health, as well as its indirect effect on mental health indicators. The results showed that after the intervention, participants exhibited reduced stigma associated with mental health and suicide, improved knowledge, and more adaptive attitudes towards suicide. Significant changes were observed in various psychological variables, including self-esteem, resilience, emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, stress, and suicide risk, in the expected direction. These findings suggest that integrating psychoeducational interventions and suicide prevention programs into university curricula could promote mental well-being and address suicide risk among emerging adult students.

Working effectively with consumers: Perspectives from students, teachers, nurses, and consumers.

Preparing enrolled nurses (ENs) to effectively work with mental health consumers is crucial to meeting Australia's healthcare demands. This qualitative study aimed to explore various stakeholders' perceptions regarding the mental health knowledge, skills, and attributes (KSAs) required by ENs to engage with individuals experiencing mental health issues, thus guiding future training priorities. The sample comprised 44 participants including 18 students, 3 graduate ENs, 5 experienced ENs, 5 registered nurses (RNs), 4 nurse unit managers (NUMs), 5 teachers, and 5 consumers of mental health services. Focus groups were used to collect data from the students, whilst individual interviews were conducted with all other participants. A thematic analysis revealed communication was the most vital skill for effectively working with mental health consumers. Skills such as critical thinking and clinical reasoning were also deemed crucial, given the volatile nature of the mental health inpatient environment, necessitating effective responses to acute escalations to prevent adverse outcomes for both staff and consumers. Essential knowledge components included understanding mental health disorders, symptoms, and treatments, particularly medications used for mental health issues. Participants also emphasised the importance of attributes like confidence and empathy in supporting and caring for consumers, who often experienced trauma and vulnerability. These findings provide valuable insights into the content that should be incorporated into the diploma of nursing (DN) training to produce competent graduate ENs.

Unraveling the core symptoms of mental health in senior grade three students- a network analysis.

Adolescence is not only an important transitional period of many developmental challenges, but also a high risk period for mental health problems. Psychotherapy is recommended for mental health problems in adolescents, but its effectiveness is not always satisfactory. One possible contributing factor may be the lack of clarity surrounding core symptoms. In this study, we investigated the mental health status of senior grade three students, a group of adolescents facing college entrance exams, by the Middle School Student Mental Health Test (MHT) and analyzed the core symptoms by network analysis. This study was conducted through an online survey platform (www.xiaodongai.com) from 15 February 2023 to 28 March 2024. The subjects scanned a QR code with their mobile phone to receive the questionnaire. The mean age of these 625 students were 18.11 ± 2.90 years. There are 238 male participants and 387 female participants. 107 individuals scored above 56 (107/461, 23.2%), with individual scale scores over 8 up to over 60% of participating students. Notably, the top three prominent symptoms were "academic anxiety", "allergic tendency" and "somatic symptoms". However, upon conducting network analysis, it became evident that three strongest edges in this network were "somatic symptoms" and "impulsive tendency", "academic anxiety" and "social anxiety" as well as "social anxiety" and "Loneliness tendency". "somatic symptoms", "social anxiety" and "self-blame tendency" exerted the highest expected influence. This suggests that, statistically speaking, these three symptoms exhibited the strongest interconnections within the network. Cross-sectional analysis; Bias in self-reported variables. These findings can deepen the knowledge of mental health among senior grade three students and provide some implications (i.e., targeting symptoms having highest expected influence) for clinical prevention and intervention to address the mental health needs of this particular group.

Dental surgery assistant trainees’ perceptions of mental well-being and working in the dental clinic

Introduction: An online survey was conducted on 16 National Institute of Technical Education Certificate (NITEC) Dental Surgery Assistant (DSA) trainees in National Dental Centre Singapore to find out their perceptions and understanding of mental well-being. Methods: The 43-item survey included (i) Psychological General Well-being Index (PGWB) with 22 items based on 6 domains (anxiety, depression, positive well-being, self-control, general health, and vitality); (ii) 5 items on mental health knowledge; (iii) 4 items on lifestyle; and (iv) 12 items on perceptions of mental well-being and working in the dental clinic. Responses were collated for descriptive analysis and Cronbach’s alpha analysis was done for internal consistency for Likert scale items. Results: The average PGWB score was 61.5 (range 18-89). Fourteen trainees (75%) indicated they were feeling depressed and 31.2% of trainees felt under stress in the past month. The majority (81.3%) of trainees recognised the role of exercise in maintaining mental health and 75% of trainees were able to differentiate between sadness and depression. However, 56.3% and 87.5% of the trainees incorrectly answered that mental and psychological disorders are not preventable conditions and mental disorders are caused by a wrong way of thinking respectively. The Cronbach’s alpha on PGWB ( = 0.87) and trainees’ perception of working in the clinic ( = 0.76) revealed good internal consistency. Conclusion: The PGWB scores and survey analysis indicate there is a knowledge gap about mental health and the need to improve mental well-being in this cohort of NITEC DSA trainees. Keywords: Mental Well-being, Dental Surgery Assistant Trainee, Psychological General Well-being Index