Mental Health Literacy and Help-Seeking Behaviours Among Undergraduate Pharmacy Students in Abha, Saudi Arabia

Determining the Mental Health Literacy Level of University Students and Examining Their Attitudes Towards Seeking Psychological Help

This descriptive study examined the mental health literacy levels and attitudes towards seeking psychological help among university students. The study was conducted with 317 students from a university in Türkiye. Data were collected via an online platform using a Personal Information Form, the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS) and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale-Short Form (ATSPPHS-SF). Participants, with an average age of 20 ± 1, were predominantly female (89%). Most had previously sought psychological support (75.1%) and believed the psychology information obtained online was accurate (61.2%). Significant differences were found between residential location (p = 0.034) and maternal education level (p = 0.017) with the Knowledge Subscale of MHLS, and between history of seeking psychological support (p = 0.010) with the Resource Subscale of MHLS. Additionally, there was a significant difference between seeking psychological support history and mean ATSPPHS-SF scores (p = 0.060). The scores on MHLS (13.15 ± 3.38) and ATSPPHS-SF (18.38 ± 3.77) indicated moderate levels, with a positive and significant relationship between the scales' total scores (p = 0.000). The study concluded that mental health literacy is crucial for increasing the rate of seeking psychological help. Addressing the lack of knowledge regarding mental health is essential for early diagnosis, prevention and maintenance of mental health. It is recommended incorporating mental health literacy content into university curricula, initiating efforts to provide information about psychological help resources and engaging psychiatric nurses in educational roles on campus through multidisciplinary planning.

Caught between two worlds: mental health literacy and stigma among bicultural youth

PURPOSE

Bicultural youths are at higher risk of mental health problems and are less likely to utilize mental health services, yet our knowledge of their mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviours remains limited.

METHODS

To fill this gap, the current study explored bicultural youths' mental health literacy and stigma by conducting semi-structured interviews with 14 Canadian university students in 2021.

RESULTS

Our analysis revealed that bicultural youths may be torn between two worlds: intergenerational tensions between participants assimilated into individualistic Canadian culture and their more collectivist parents meant that they had different cultural perceptions of mental health literacy and stigma. While being caught between these two worlds may be detrimental for bicultural youth, our results also suggested that a trans-cultural factor-celebrities' mental health journeys-may promote help-seeking behaviour across participants. Furthermore, our study speaks to the ways that unprecedented events such as the COVID-19 pandemic impact mental health literacy among bicultural youth. Our findings might be used by university mental health services to encourage help-seeking among bicultural students.

CONCLUSION

The acculturation of mental health literacy, stigma, and associated intergenerational differences needs to be considered by university wellness services.

Association between mental health literacy and formal help-seeking behaviors among students from the Palestinian-Arab minority in Israel

Mental health problems are common among higher education students, yet formal help-seeking rates remain low. Mental health literacy (MHL) is crucial in facilitating help-seeking, but its relationship with formal help-seeking behaviors among ethnic minority students is poorly understood. This study explored MHL among Palestinian minority students in Israel using Jorm's framework, examining the association between each MHL dimension and formal help-seeking. It also investigated information-seeking methods and their relations to actual help-seeking. 129 Palestinian students completed measures of MHL, formal help-seeking, information-seeking methods, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Participants reported average or above-average levels on all MHL dimensions. Compared to those who did not report actual formal help-seeking, those who did have significantly higher levels of MHL on all dimensions, except for the ability to recognize disorders. The three dimensions - knowledge of risk factors and causes; knowledge of where to seek information; and attitudes that promote recognition or appropriate help-seeking behavior - were found to be significant determinants of formal help-seeking behaviors. Online information-seeking was an important determinant of formal help-seeking. This study supports the association between MHL and formal help-seeking behaviors, even among students from ethnic minorities. Interventions targeting MHL could enhance help-seeking behaviors in this population. This study underlines the crucial role of the Internet in minority students' lives in the context of mental health, similar to its importance in other areas of their lives. They also identify key areas for psychiatric mental health nursing to focus on for more effective education and interventions tailored to minority student populations.

The association between mindfulness, resilience, and academic achievement of pharmacy students in Saudi Arabia

Background

Literature suggests that mindfulness and resilience positively impact academic performance. This study was conducted to assess mindfulness and resilience levels among pharmacy students. The study also aimed to explore the relationship between mindfulness and resilience, as well as their effects on GPA, which serves as an indicator of academic performance.

Methods

The study utilized the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), a validated tool consisting of 39 items across five domains: observing, describing, acting with awareness, non-judging of inner experience, and non-reactivity. Additionally, the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), a validated questionnaire with 6 items using a 5-point Likert scale, was employed to assess resilience.

Results

The average scores obtained from the mindfulness and resilience scales were 3.00 (SD = 0.36) and 3.00 (SD = 0.65), indicating intermediate levels of resilience and mindfulness, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found in mindfulness scores between male and female students, or between students with and without a previous diagnosis of mental health issues. However, a statistically significant higher level of resilience was observed among students who have never been diagnosed with mental health issues compared to those who reported a previous diagnosis. However, females scored significantly higher in the observing domain of mindfulness compared to males, while males scored significantly higher in the acting with awareness domain. Students who had never been diagnosed with mental health issues scored significantly higher in acting with awareness. A significant positive association was found between resilience and mindfulness scores of the students (r = 0.45, p < 0.001). However, significant positive correlation was found between resilience and describing as well as acting with awareness mindfulness, p < 0.05. Assessing the association between student GPA and mindfulness as well as resilience scores showed a weak association.

Discussion and conclusion

Tailored interventions and programs could be implemented to foster resilience, enhance students' ability to cope, and equip them with tools to bounce back in the face of adversity. Further research could explore other factors that might influence the strength of the relationships between mindfulness and resilience, and student GPA.

Mental Health Literacy Among Urban and Rural Residents of Guangdong Province, China

Purpose

The study aims to understanding the mental health literacy level of urban and rural residents in Guangdong Province, the first major province in China, and its influencing factors is crucial.

Methods

A multi-stage stratified equal-volume random sampling method was adopted in October-December 2022 to select permanent residents aged 18 years and above in Guangdong Province for the questionnaire survey, which consisted of a general demographic information questionnaire and a national mental health literacy questionnaire. Rao-Scott χ²-test with correction based on sampling design, independent samples t-test and binary multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed.

Results

A total of 51744 individuals completed the questionnaire, including 31822 urban residents and 19200 rural residents. The rate of achievement of mental health literacy was 13.6% among urban residents, which was significantly higher compared to the rate of 8.6% among rural residents. Logistic regression analysis showed that female, higher education, being mental worker, being a retiree, having a higher monthly household income, maintaining a regular diet, and using electronic products for 2-6 hours per day were protective factors for mental health literacy attainment in urban residents, while having chronic diseases, being a smoker and having a history of drinking were identified as risk factors in urban residents. Among in rural residents, married, younger, higher education, being mental worker and using electronic products for 2-6 hours per day, maintaining a regular diet, and engaging in regular exercise were protective factors for achieving mental health literacy, while previous smoking was a risk factor.

Conclusion

The study revealed a low level of mental health literacy among urban and rural residents of Guangdong Province, with a significant disparity between the two areas. These findings highlight the need for continuing efforts to increase the dissemination of mental health knowledge in rural communities and improve levels of mental health literacy.

Premenstrual Syndrome and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Among College Students in Oman

Background

This study examines the relationship between premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and the attitude toward seeking professional psychological help among Omani college students.

Method

This study used a cross-sectional design with a convenience sampling approach. The date was issued between January and March 2024. A sample of 601 undergraduate female students completed the study questionnaires, including (1) a sociodemographic questionnaire, (2) the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale and (3) the attitude toward seeking professional psychological distress scale.

Results

The study included 601 eligible participants of age 18-29 years who were mostly single (83.7%) and living on campus (68.6%). PMS prevalence was high at 87.9%, with a mean score of 109.4, indicating low severity for most (62.1%). Participants generally had positive attitudes toward seeking psychological help (41.6% high willingness). A linear regression showed a positive link between PMS severity and help-seeking attitudes.

Conclusion

This study highlights a significant association between the experiences of PMS and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help among Omani female undergraduate students. With a high prevalence of PMS reported, the findings suggest that cultural factors and support systems play crucial roles in shaping these attitudes. The positive inclination toward seeking help indicates a growing awareness of mental health issues within this demographic. Enhancing mental health services and fostering supportive environments in educational settings can further empower students to address PMS-related challenges.

Chinese university students' help-seeking behaviors when faced with mental health challenges

BACKGROUND

Mental illnesses and mental health challenges have become increasingly pervasive among Chinese university students. However, the utilization rate of mental health services is low among students.

AIMS

We aimed to explore Chinese university students' help-seeking behaviors to understand how they deal with mental health challenges and use the results to inform the development of effective mental health promotion initiatives.

METHODS

In this study, we conducted 13 focus group interviews with students in six universities in Jinan, China, including 91 (62%) female students and 56 (38%) male students. We drew on the Theory of Planned Behaviors to guide our thematic analysis to gain a contextual understanding of participants' accounts on help-seeking.

RESULTS

Our results have depicted the help-seeking patterns of Chinese university students and show that there are four major behaviors which are self-reliance, seeking support from peers and families, seeking professional support, and accessing virtual mental health care.

CONCLUSION

Results from this study can be used to inform the development of mental health literacy programming for students in universities that share similar contexts, and the study has also opened up a new space for using qualitative approaches to study mental health needs and access to care in diverse populations.

Mental health literacy in Polynesian Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders

The high prevalence of mental health problems and underutilization of mental health treatment are more severe among the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (NHPI) populations and remain misunderstood and understudied. Examining mental health literacy (MHL) - the knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders - aids their recognition, management, or prevention - has been shown to identify barriers to seeking and receiving care. This study aimed to assess the level of MHL in NHPIs and identify associated demographic variables. Data for this cross-sectional study were collected from 298 US NHPIs via an online questionnaire of the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS). The overall mean MHLS score was 121 (SD = 17.3), with statistically significant higher scores in female participants, >31 years old, Tongan, more educated, and with higher income. This study demonstrated that overall MHL is comparable among NHPI compared to the current literature. However, NHPI men ≤30 years old and with lower income had lower MHL, which may be linked to the mental health disparities specific to this population. Current interventions should focus on increasing knowledge of risk factors, causes, self-treatments, and available professional help regarding mental disorders. Efforts to improve the MHL of NHPI should target men ≤30 years with lower income (<$50 000).

Barriers to mental health service utilisation among medical students in Saudi Arabia

Introduction

Medical students experience high levels of stress, often due to academic demands, which can adversely affect their mental health. However, they frequently hesitate to seek and underutilise available mental health services. This study aimed to assess the perceived need for mental health services and identify the barriers to seeking help among undergraduate medical students.

Materials and methods

This cross-sectional study recruited 480 undergraduate medical students from two main universities in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through an online, self-administered questionnaire that encompassed sections on sociodemographic details, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), perceptions about the necessity for professional mental health care, service utilisation over the past year, and the Barriers to Access to Care Evaluation (BACE-III).

Results

The study found that 33.6% of the participants showed signs of depression. Even though 42.5% expressed a perceived need for mental health services, only 16.2% actually utilised these services in the previous 12 months. In terms of barriers, attitudinal-related barriers received the highest mean score, followed by stigma- and instrumental-related barriers. Notably, students who had previously experienced academic failure and those who had sought mental health services were more inclined to report stigma- and instrumental-related barriers.

Conclusion

Mental health challenges are notably prevalent among undergraduate medical students. Although there is a significant perceived need for professional mental health intervention, the actual utilisation rate remains low. The primary obstacles to seeking assistance are attitudinal and stigma-related barriers.

Patient information leaflet in the era of digitalisation: a cross-sectional study on patients' attitudes and practices

BACKGROUND

Patient information leaflets (PILs) are documents that are standardized in nature and provide guidance for patients or caregivers on the safe and effective use of medicines. Previous evidence suggests that written information is linked to enhancing the amount of information remembered. Currently, patients have become more involved in digital searches for information. However, there is variability in the quality and reliability of information obtained from the web. According to Saudi Food and Drug Authority regulations, pharmaceutical manufacturers are required to supplement each pharmaceutical product entering the Saudi market with a digital leaflet in addition to a paper leaflet. This research aimed to evaluate patients' attitudes and practices towards PILs.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study design using an anonymous online self-administered questionnaire was adopted. The study took place in Saudi Arabia between October and December 2022. A convenience sampling strategy was used to recruit the study participants. The questionnaire was adapted from previous research that investigated patient attitudes and practices towards PILs.

RESULTS

A total of 463 participants agreed to take part in the study and completed the questionnaire. Physicians were the top utilized source for getting medicine information (92.7%), followed by pharmacists (84.7%), PILs (67.4%), searching the Internet (53.6%), and consulting family and friends (31.7%). About 78% of the participants reported often or always reading PILs for new drugs (78.2%), but this percentage was lower (45.4%) for repeat prescriptions. A positive perception towards PILs was observed among the study participants. While 54.6% of the participants indicated a preference for having both paper and digital information leaflets, 33.3% reported a preference for paper leaflets, and 12% indicated a preference for digital formats.

CONCLUSION

Although patients had positive perceptions towards PILs, physicians were the top-consulted source for medicine information. Pharmacists should educate patients about the importance of referring to PILs which can also be accessed electronically in the case of a preference for a digital format, as the quality and reliability of the information obtained from the web cannot be confirmed.

Mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviour among Egyptian undergraduates: a cross-sectional national study

BACKGROUND

Mental health literacy (MHL) and help-seeking behaviors are pivotal in managing mental well-being, especially among Egyptian undergraduates. Despite the importance and prevalent psychological distress in this group, limited research has addressed MHL and associated behaviors in Egypt. This study aimed to assess the levels of MHL and help-seeking behavior among Egyptian university students.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted across ten Egyptian universities during the academic year 2022-2023. A convenience sample of 1740 students was obtained through online questionnaires distributed via social media platforms. The survey comprised demographic characteristics, the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS), and the General Help Seeking Behavior Questionnaire (GHSPQ).

RESULTS

Among 1740 Egyptian undergraduates, medical students scored higher in recognizing disorders (p < 0.05), while non-medical students excelled in attitudes (p < 0.05). A strong correlation was observed between attitudes toward mental illness and total mental health literacy (coefficients of 0.664 and 0.657). Univariate analysis indicated a significant association with professional help-seeking (OR = 1.023). Females, individuals aged 21 or above, and non-medical students were more likely to seek mental health information (OR = 1.42, 1.82, 1.55 respectively). Help-seeking behavior for emotional problems was more inclined towards intimate partners, whereas suicidal thoughts prompted seeking professional help.

CONCLUSION

The findings advocate for comprehensive mental health education, particularly in rural areas, and emphasis on the role of personal relationships in mental well-being. Implementing these insights could foster improved mental health outcomes and reduce related stigma in Egypt.

Exploring Mental Health Literacy and Its Associated Factors: A National Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia, 2023

Objective

The aim of this study is to examine, for the first time, the mental health literacy of the Saudi general population. Additionally, we aim to identify demographic factors associated with elevated mental health literacy scores.

Methods

A cross-sectional study using a phone interview survey with quota sampling was conducted for equal distribution of sexes, age and administrative regions. Mental health literacy was assessed by the previously validated mental health literacy scale (MHLS). The MHLS ranges from 35 to 160, and a higher score indicates greater level of mental health literacy.

Results

In this study, 4,547 (70.2%) agreed to complete the interview. The sample was equally distributed across Saudi Arabia's 13 administrative regions with 50.1% female and mean age 35.9 (SD: ±12.8). In terms of education, 55.1% have a bachelor's degree or above. The nationally weighted score on the original MHLS was 110.75. the MHLS Saudi validation score was influenced by various variables including: marital status, healthcare-related job, sex, education level, and proximity to individuals with mental health issues.

Conclusion

The study offers data for the first time on Saudi Arabian mental health literacy status. The high MHLS score reflects good societal awareness and understanding of mental health related concepts and issues in the Saudi population. The results of this study set the baseline for mental health literacy in Saudi Arabia. Future research may focus on utilizing the validated MHLS and the method used in this study to explore the effect of other social and individual factors on mental health literacy.

Help-seeking behaviour towards anxiety among undergraduate students of Nepal: a web-based cross-sectional study

Background

Stigma among mental disorders like anxiety has been identified as an important barrier in help-seeking by national policymakers. Anxiety disorders are quite common among college students, and their severity and prevalence are growing. This study aimed to assess help-seeking behavior (HSB) towards anxiety among undergraduate students of Kathmandu University (KU).

Methodology

A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 undergraduate students. General Help-Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ) tool was used to assess HSB. Frequencies, percentages, mean, and Standard Deviation were calculated to assess the characteristics of the participants. Factors associated with HSB were examined using Chi-Square test. Pearson correlation was determined to find out the association between professional and informal sources for seeking help. All the tests were carried out at the statistically significant level at a P-value of 0.05.

Results

The mean (±SD) age was 20.3±1.1 years in this study. This study demonstrated that 36.5 and 17.5% of the participants were extremely likely to seek help from parents and psychiatrists towards anxiety, respectively. Sex (OR=1.5, 95% CI: 1.0-1.3) was significantly associated with parents, education was significantly associated with parents (OR=0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.6), and friends (OR=0.5, 95% CI: 0.3-0.9), meanwhile, ethnicity (OR=0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.9), and residence (OR=0.5, 95% CI: 0.3-0.8) were significantly associated with psychiatrists and psychologists for help-seeking behavior, respectively. Fear of criticism (34.1%) and stigma (20.3%) were the main reasons for not seeking help among the participants. The maximum number of participants (41.5%) preferred to seek help immediately if they ever experienced anxiety. This study showed professional and informal sources were positively correlated with anxiety (rpi=0.3) at a P-value <0.05.

Conclusion

This study showed that students preferred to seek help from informal sources rather than professional sources. In addition, there is still stigma and fear among students regarding mental health. This study suggests that there is a need to have psychosocial intervention at colleges and educational institutions in order to promote professional help-seeking for any mental disorders including anxiety.

A scoping review of studies examining mental health literacy among Arabs worldwide

BACKGROUND

There is growing interest in Mental health literacy (MHL) worldwide, given its important role in overcoming barriers to service use and reducing mental health disparities. However, little is known about MHL among Arabs.

AIM

We conducted a scoping review to examine MHL levels and correlates among Arabs in both Arab and non-Arab countries, based on Jorm's MHL framework.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping review based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, using six electronic databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Soc Index, Web of Science, and Scopus. Data were summarized and synthesized.

RESULTS

Nine studies examining MHL among Arabs met our inclusion criteria. Seven of them used a quantitative cross-sectional design. Four studies were conducted in Arab, and five were in non-Arab countries. Five studies were conducted among university students. The studies included indicate moderate to high levels of MHL. Higher MHL was associated with female gender, personal experience of mental health illness, and with help-seeking behaviours.

CONCLUSIONS

Our review shows a significant lack of empirical studies on Arabs' MHL. These findings should be considered as a call for action for public health researchers, mental health workers, and policymakers to prioritize research in this field.

The association of mental health literacy with mental well-being and help-seeking in young people: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PROBLEM

It is important to determine the relationship between mental health literacy (MHL), mental well-being and help seeking in young people in terms of guiding research and practices related to MHL.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

A literature scan of the databases of Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, EBSCOhost CINAHL Complete, Cochrane Library, Springer Link, Scopus, Wiley Online Library, Ovid, Taylor & Francis and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global was conducted in May 2022 and April 2023 without any year limitations.

SAMPLE

A total of 12 studies with 4659 young people were included. Data synthesis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software. Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was used to calculate the effect size.

RESULTS

It was concluded that there was no correlation between MHL and mental well-being in young people (p > 0.05, r = 0.06, 95% CI = -0.05 to 0.16). A positive correlation was found between MHL with help seeking attitude (p < 0.01, r = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.30 to 0.63) and help-seeking intention (p < 0.01, r = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.12 to 0.34).

CONCLUSION

While there was a medium effect size between MHL and help seeking attitude in young people, there was a weak effect size between MHL and help seeking intention. No studies were found examining the relationship between MHL and help-seeking behavior in young people.

IMPLICATIONS

Nurses may provide support for young people in help seeking by giving education and counselling on MHL in schools and health institutions, and by creating reliable and easily accessible sources of information.

Sickness absence around contact with outpatient mental health care services - differences between migrants and non-migrants: a Norwegian register study

BACKGROUND

Mental disorders are a leading cause of sickness absence. Some groups of migrants are at higher risk of both mental disorder and sickness absence. Yet, research on sickness absence in relation to mental disorders among migrants is limited. This study investigates differences in sickness absence in the twelve-month period around contact with outpatient mental health services between non-migrants and various migrant groups with different length of stays. It also considers whether these differences are similar for men and women.

METHODS

Using linked Norwegian register data, we followed 146,785 individuals, aged 18-66 years, who had attended outpatient mental health services and who had, or had recently had, a stable workforce attachment. The number of days of sickness absence was calculated for the 12-month period surrounding contact with outpatient mental health services. We applied logistic regression and zero-truncated negative binomial regression to assess differences in any sickness absence and number of days of absence between non-migrants and migrants, including refugees and non-refugees. We included interaction terms between migrant category and sex.

RESULTS

Refugee men and other migrant men from countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) had a higher probability of any sickness absence in the period surrounding contact with outpatient mental health services than their non-migrant counterparts. Women from EEA countries with stays of less than 15 years had a lower probability than non-migrant women. Additionally, refugees, both men and women, with 6-14 years in Norway had more days of absence while EEA migrants had fewer days than their non-migrant counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS

Refugee men and other non-EEA migrant men appear to have higher sickness absence than non-migrant men around the time of contact with services. This finding does not apply to women. Several probable reasons for this are discussed, though further research is required to understand why. Targeted strategies to reduce sickness absence and support the return to work for refugees and other non-EEA migrant men are needed. Barriers to timely help-seeking should also be addressed.

Health literacy among adolescents and young adults in the Eastern Mediterranean region: a scoping review

OBJECTIVES

For adolescents and young adults, most health literacy research has been conducted in Western countries, but few studies have been conducted in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR). This review aimed to explore the existing health literacy research in the EMR in addition to the levels of health literacy and its associated factors among adolescents and young adults.

METHODS

The search, conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE, EBSCOhost/CINAHL plus, Web of Science and J-STAGE databases, was initially performed on 16 June 2022 and later updated on 1 October 2022. Studies that targeted 10-25 years old persons, conducted in any of the EMR countries and that used the health literacy concept and/or described its levels or predictors were included in the review. Content analysis was used for data extraction and analysis. Data related to the study methods, participants, outcome variables and health literacy were extracted.

RESULTS

The review included 82 studies, most of which were conducted in Iran and Turkey and adopted a cross-sectional design. Half of the studies showed that more than half of adolescents and young adults had low or moderate health literacy. Nine studies applied university-based or school-based health education interventions to improve health literacy, which was also predicted by demographic and socioeconomic factors and internet usage. Little attention was paid to assessing the health literacy of vulnerable people, such as refugees and those with a disability and exposed to violence. Finally, various health literacy topics were investigated, including nutrition, non-communicable diseases, media and depression.

CONCLUSION

Health literacy levels were low-to-moderate in adolescents and young adults in the EMR. To promote health literacy, it is recommended to use school-based health education and attempt to reach adolescents and young adults through social media platforms. More attention should be paid to refugees, people with disabilities and those exposed to violence.

Barriers to treatment and care for depression among the youth in Uganda: The role of mental health literacy

Background

Depression represents a significant mental health problem (MHP) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially among early adults. Nevertheless, most early adults with depression do not seek treatment. Failure to recognize depression and knowledge about mental health literacy (MHL) may contribute to poor help-seeking behavior. This study assessed MHL, access and barriers to mental health care for depression among early adults in Uganda.

Methods

Data were collected from students in two of the largest universities in Uganda. Participants completed questionnaires on depression, MHL, sources of barriers and opportunities for MH service. Regression analyses and parametric tests were used to assess depression, access, barriers and opportunities to promote MH.

Results

About 12 per cent (n = 56) of the respondents were at the level of moderately severe to severe depression. Mental health literacy (MHL) scores were generally low ranging from "Ability to recognize mental disorders" (mean = 19.32, SD 3.22, range 18-32), and "Knowledge of risk factors" (mean = 4.39, SD 1.17, range 2-8), and "Knowledge of available information" (mean = 9.59, SD 2.53, range 5-20). Respondents reported barriers such as "stigma/discrimination" (65.53%), "lack of knowledge of where to receive help" (65.15%), "lack of trust in health workers" (62.56%), and "distant health facilities" (19.70%) that impede access to treatment and care. MHL significantly predicted depression (based on a continuous scale) (β = 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.56, 0.70]) with the regression model yielding a significant fit [R ² = 0.40, F (2, 460) = 189.84, p < 0.001].

Conclusions

MHL is low among university students amidst several barriers such as stigma, fear, and lack of trust. To attenuate the negative effects of MHPs on wellbeing and lower the increased risk of psychopathology into adulthood, it is critical to prioritize MHL, address barriers to treatment and care, and develop the requisite infrastructure to tackle depression among early adults.

Predictors of Mental Health Literacy and Information Seeking Behavior Toward Mental Health Among University Students in Resource-Limited Settings

BACKGROUND

This paper investigated mental health literacy level and information seeking behavior, and mental health-related information sources in limited-resource settings, in the case of Ethiopian university students.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, self-administered web-based survey was conducted among Dilla University students, from 1 January to 29 February 2022, with a total of 780 respondents. We presented descriptive statistics using mean, standard deviations, and proportions. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were employed to identify factors associated with mental health literacy and information seeking behavior of students. Further, path analysis was also employed.

RESULTS

The result showed 71 (9.1%) respondents had a diagnosed history of mental illness. Overall, 397 (50.9%) respondents were identified as having adequate mental health literacy and 420 (53.8%) sought mental health information. In multivariate analysis, mental health literacy was significantly associated with: being female (AOR = 2.8; 95% CI (1.5-5.4)), higher digital health literacy (AOR=2.8; 95% CI (1.5-5.4), seeking mental health-related information (AOR=1.6; 95% CI: (1.1-2.5)), having family with mental illness, and students in health-related programs (AOR = 2.1; 95% CI (1.0-4.2)). Furthermore, health-related programs, level of mental health literacy, exposure to mental health problems in the family, and were associated with information seeking behavior regarding mental health. Further, path analysis revealed significant positive associations of information seeking behavior and digital health literacy with mental health literacy.

CONCLUSION

The result indicated the status of university students' mental health literacy level and information seeking behavior were low and inadequate. This study suggests the need to improve students' digital health competencies by designing mental health literacy programs by collaboration of different stakeholders, and mental health literacy programs need to optimize access to internet and online resources in the university settings.

Exploring psychopathological and cognitive factors associated with help-seeking intentions among Korean high school students: A cross-sectional study

Competitive college admissions and academic pressure have continuously increased the psychopathological burden of Korean high school students. Seeking help is one of the primary means of managing mental health, and more attention is required. This study aimed to explore the psychopathological and cognitive factors related to the help-seeking intentions of Korean high school students. This cross-sectional study was conducted between July and August 2020 using the General Help-Seeking Questionnaire, Symptom Checklist-90-R, and Mental Health Literacy Scale. Four hundred and twenty-one Korean high school students (275 males, 146 females; average age 17.44 years [standard deviation = 0.651]) completed self-report questionnaires. We performed analysis of variance, Spearman's correlation analysis, and stepwise regression analysis to explore the factors related to help-seeking intentions. The final model showed an explanatory power of 23.6% for the overall variance in help-seeking intentions. Somatization (β = -0.200; P = .001) and hostility (β = -0.203; P = .001) had a negative effect on help-seeking intentions. Further, knowledge of where to seek information (β = 0.230; P < .001) and attitudes promoting recognition and help-seeking behavior (β = 0.095; P = .030) had a positive effect. Students responded to society's negative awareness of mental illness by converting psychopathology into socially acceptable symptoms. Educational support can improve mental health literacy. This study is expected to help improve mental illness awareness and increase adolescents' access to public services.

Validation of the Mental Health Literacy Scale in French University Students

Background: Mental health literacy is a determinant of mental health, which can facilitate early detection of psychological problems and endorse timely access to care. Instruments to measure mental health literacy exist, but not in French. Assessment of mental health literacy in young adults is essential to tailor appropriate educational interventions promoting psychological wellbeing and preventing mental health problems in this vulnerable population. The aim of this study was to validate the French version of the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS-FR) in university students. Methods: A total of 482 students from the University of Bordeaux, France, completed the translated version of the scale. Collected data were used to validate the MHLS-FR through psychometric analyses: descriptive statistics, item distribution, test-retest reliability, exploratory structural equation model, confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega coefficients, and hypothesis testing. Results: The final scale included 26 items covering 6 dimensions. Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega coefficients were 0.744 and 0.961, respectively. With test-retest, about 50% of items had intraclass correlation coefficients superior to 0.5. Conclusions: The MHLS-FR can be considered as a valid and reliable instrument for measuring mental health literacy in French students.

Academic Help-Seeking Behaviours of Undergraduate Pharmacy Students in Saudi Arabia: Usage and Helpfulness of Resources

Background: University students usually find it difficult to handle academic challenges by themselves and tend to seek help. Academic help seeking is defined as “a behavioral strategy that involves controlling one’s behavior and interacting socially to obtain help from other people.” Methods: A cross-sectional design was planned. An online self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on academic help-seeking behaviours among year 5 undergraduate pharmacy students. Demographic and background information was described in terms of frequency. Their reasons for seeking academic help (five items) and factors considered for choosing academic resources (six items) used a Likert scale ranging from one (strongly disagree) to five (strongly agree). Usefulness (ten items) was rated on a five-point scale ranging from ‘very useful’ to ‘not useful at all.’ Frequency (ten items) was rated on a five-point scale ranging from ‘never’ to ‘every day.’ Results: A total of 116 pharmacy students completed the survey. The study indicated that the key reasons for seeking help were positive factors—a further improvement of one’s learning and the desire to complete a course. The resources that were most frequently used were peers, the course online portal, and online educational resources. The resources that students found most helpful were peers, the course instructor, textbooks, and online resources. Discussion and conclusion: The frequency of using a certain support resource was not mirrored by its helpfulness. Resources, including professors, teaching assistants, and textbooks, were found helpful but not frequently consulted for help. On the other hand, summaries and notes, for example, were frequently used but not particularly helpful. However, peers currently taking the course and the course management system were found to be very useful and frequently used.

Predictors of Professional Help-Seeking Intention Toward Depression Among Community-Dwelling Populations: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis

Background

A low intention of professional help seeking hinders the effective treatment of depression. The factors are from the perspectives of the social, family, and individual; however, an understanding of how they interact to predict professional help-seeking intention (PHSI) is not clear.

Objectives

The objectives of the study was to investigate PHSI toward depression in a Chinese community-dwelling population and construct a predictive model of the PHSI to explore the various factors involved.

Methods

Stratified random sampling and Kish table methods were used to identify 2,000 community residents. Participants completed a series of questionnaires to measure general characteristics, PHSI, professional help-seeking attitude, depression stigma, depression knowledge, family function, and depression symptoms. Analyses included descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis using SPSS 26.0 and a Structural Equation Model using Amos 22.0.

Results

The score of the PHSI was 14.92 ± 9.574. Professional help-seeking attitude (r = 0.291, p < 0.001) and depression knowledge (r = 0.077, p = 0.002) were positively related to PHSI, while a negative correlation was found between stigma (r = -0.149, p < 0.001) and PHSI. The model of the PHSI indicated a good fit with a CMIN/DF = 2.740 and RESEA = 0.032. The total effect of the influencing factors on the PHSI was listed in the following order: professional help-seeking attitude (0.676) > stigma (-0.143) > depression knowledge (0.088) > depression symptoms (-0.009) > family function (0.005). The total effect of depression knowledge on PHSI included a direct negative effect (Beta = -0.266, p < 0.001) and an indirect positive effect (0.354) through professional help-seeking attitude and stigma. Also, depression knowledge was negatively associated with stigma (Beta = -0.153, p < 0.001). Depression symptoms were negatively associated with family function (Beta = -0.282, p < 0.001), depression knowledge (Beta = -0.252, p < 0.001), and stigma (Beta = -0.102, p < 0.001), indicating that people with less severe depression symptoms had good family function, depression knowledge, and higher stigma. Family function contributed a positive effect on depression knowledge directly (Beta = 0.145, p < 0.001) and a totally positive effect (0.033) on stigma.

Conclusion

The PHSI toward depression is low among Chinese community residents. Professional help-seeking attitude, depression knowledge, and family functioning were facilitators of PHSI, and stigma and the severity of depression symptoms were barriers to PHSI. This study provides reference for the development of policies and guidelines to promote community residents to actively seek professional mental health help. Future policies can focus on multicollaboration among the government, mental health services, and families to increase the mental health resources, improve family functioning, enhance mental health literacy (MHL) of the public, and reduce depression stigma to ease the burden of this mental health issue.

Using Design Thinking Method in Academic Advising: A Case Study in a College of Pharmacy in Saudi Arabia

Purpose: The current study was conducted to evaluate academic advising services in a pharmacy college in Saudi Arabia. This will result in developing solutions to overcome the identified challenges. Methods: Design thinking method uses five steps: empathising, defining, ideating, prototypes and testing. Results: Several issues were identified with students: limited awareness of academic rules and regulations; work-family life imbalance; lack of trust in academic advising and emotional support; unfamiliarity with different learning strategies; and lack of social life at the university. Discussion and conclusion: This study provides a model for enhancing students’ experiences with academic advising. It suggested several prototypes that have proven to be effective in enhancing students’ experiences in university life and how to overcome challenges. The prototypes include a peer academic advising club, personal development workshop and a series of lectures on college rules and regulations.