Mental Health Literacy among Secondary School Students Attending Government Schools in Kohalpur Municipality

Authors

  • Merina Shrestha Nepalgunj Medical College and Teaching Hospital
  • Priyadarshini Shah Singh Nepalgunj Medical College and Teaching Hospital
  • Dilsha Rana Nepalgunj Medical College and Teaching Hospital
  • Aakash Jaiswal Nepalgunj Medical College and Teaching Hospital

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/jngmc.v21i1.58299

Keywords:

Adolescence, erroneous belief, knowledge, mental health, mental health literacy, Stigma

Abstract

Introduction: Mental Health Literacy is a broader concept under Health Literacy which enables a person to recognize mental disorders, seeks knowledge on prevention of mental diseases, ability to help others, increases use of available health services and enhances improved self-help strategies for better management of mental illness.

Aims: To determine the sociodemographic factors that influence mental health literacy, assessment of knowledge, erroneous beliefs/stereotypes, help-seeking behaviours and self-help strategies associated with mental health.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among the selected secondary school students, by simple random technique from selected government schools in Kohalpur using the mental health questionnaire, (5-point Likert scale). Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 20 and levels of mental health literacy in various domains was calculated.

Results: Among 420 participants, 53.33% were females and 46.67% males with mean age 15.12 years. The proximity to people with mental health problems was 13.1% and without was 86.9%. The Global Mental Health Literacy mean (3.67 with SD+/- 0.30) was taken as the reference point, the mean score above which is considered high and below it is low. Low levels of Knowledge (mean 3.64, SD+/- 0.43) and erroneous beliefs (mean 3.38, SD+/- 0.39) of mental health literacy were observed. Levels of self-help strategies (mean 3.96, SD+/- 0.703) was highest followed by help-seeking behaviours (mean 3.94, SD+/- 0.61).

Conclusion: There are low levels of knowledge and high stereotypes/ erroneous beliefs in secondary school children studying in government schools. Programs aimed to increase knowledge and awareness on mental health and decrease stereotypes need to be implemented at schools.

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Published

2023-09-01

How to Cite

Shrestha, M., Singh, P. S., Rana, D., & Jaiswal, A. (2023). Mental Health Literacy among Secondary School Students Attending Government Schools in Kohalpur Municipality . Journal of Nepalgunj Medical College, 21(1), 45–48. https://doi.org/10.3126/jngmc.v21i1.58299

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Section

Original Articles