Assessing mental health literacy: What medical sciences students' know about depression (original) (raw)
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High School Students’ Depression Literacy about Interventions and Prevention: A Survey in Tehran
Depression Research and Treatment
Background. Given the high prevalence of depressive disorders in the present world and the lack of adequate awareness about prevention and appropriate interventions, increasing mental health literacy is vital for promoting mental health to reduce depression and its consequences. Methods. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, participants were recruited among the second high school students in the 2018-2019 academic year. The sample size was 2038, and samples were selected by multistage cluster sampling from different areas of Tehran. Demographic variables like age, gender, level of education, and parents’ characteristics and mental health literacy questions in treatment and prevention areas were evaluated. Results. Analyses showed that of high school students, 83% considered getting help from psychiatrists and 80% considered learning stress management as the best preventive measures, while as the best treatment measures, 79.5% considered counseling the best place to refer for v...
Depression literacy and the related factors among a group of hospitals’ staff in Iran
International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 2020
Background: Having a proper approach to depression requires having sufficient depressive literacy in the affected person. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the level of depression literacy among hospital staff affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (IUMS) and to reveal the risk factors and knowledge gaps. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with 760 participants from university hospital staff at IUMS who were selected by a census method from April 2018 to December 2018. The data regarding depression signs and symptoms, anti-depressant drugs safety, non-medical treatment efficacy, etc. were collected using the Depression Literacy Questionnaire (D-Lit-22) and were analysed by SPSS-20, using the Pearson correlation coefficient, independent Samples t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) (p ⩽ .05). Results: The mean age of participants was 35.33 ± 8.00 years old and 77.6% of them were female. The mean of the total score of depression literacy was 11.62 ± 3.53. Depression Literacy score was significantly higher in those with higher education levels, female gender and clinical staff (p < .001). The inability to distinguish depression from other mental disorders as well as having wrong beliefs about suitable treatment approaches were the most considerable gaps in depression literacy. Conclusion: Male gender, low level of academic education and working in non-medical wards are the main factors associated with lower depression literacy in our studied sample. The poor differentiation of depression and wrong beliefs in depression treatment modalities were the largest gaps which require more educational programmes.
Mental Health Literacy towards Depression among Foundation Students in IIUM
The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of mental health literacy on depression among foundation students of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Gombak. This study utilized quantitative methodological approach and Depression Literacy Questionnaire (D-Lit) developed by Griffith (Griffith et. al, 2004) assesses mental health literacy specific to depression was used. Using a random sampling method, 63 respondents were approached and a total of 49 respondents were actually participated. The mean age of respondents was 19.25 (SD±0.44). The mean score in mental health literacy on depression was 8.49 (SD=±2.52), and there was no significant difference between the score of male and female respondents, t (47) = -0.198, p= 0.844. There was a significant difference between the score of respondents coming from rural and urban, t (47) = 2.465, p=0.017. Overall, a moderate level of mental health literacy on depression was observed among the sample.
Mental Health Literacy Levels Among Students Globally- a Review
2021
INTRODUCTIONMental health literacy is dened as knowledge& beliefs about mental disorders which aid their recognition, management and prevention. The cause for disability has been attributed chiey to Depression. In the age group of 15-29 years old, suicide is the second most leading cause for death. 20% children and adults are known to have mental health condition worldwide. Databases like PubMed and Google METHODScholar were used for retrieving studies from the year 2005-2020 and based on the objective of our study, a total of 13 studies were selected. RESULTSDepression as a mental health condition was most widely recognised amongst other mental health conditions. Few studies highlighted the presence of stigmatization and discrimination encountered by mentally ill individuals. Through our review, Mental health literacy is seen as a powerful predictor and mediator of all health-promoting behaviours. Our review emphasized on the low level of MHL. Students CONCLUSIONdo not have adequ...
2020
Background: Most of the time, medical students are the first access points to the health care system, and play a critical role in early identification of mental illnesses. Identifying knowledge gaps about mental illness amongst medical students constitutes one of the first step toward reducing treatment gap. Aims: To assess the level of Mental Health Literacy about depression among medical students. Methods: A total of 200 medical students, 100 of whom had completed psychiatric posting and 100 who had not completed were recruited through purposive sampling. A semi-structured proforma to capture the socio-demographic details and a self-administered questionnaire containing case vignette about depressive symptoms were administered. Results: Medical students who have completed their psychiatry posting were significantly better in comparison to those who did not complete psychiatry posting during internship, in terms of identification of depression in the case vignette and recognition o...
Mental Health Literacy and Mental Health Information-Seeking Behavior in Iranian University Students
Frontiers in Psychiatry
Background:Inadequate Mental health literacy (MHL) is a problem worldwide. Research is limited in developing countries and about positive MHL. This study measured the disease-oriented MHL and positive MHL and investigated their association. In addition, this study explored the mental health information-seeking behavior among undergraduate students in Iran.MethodsThis study recruited undergraduate students of Tehran public universities through multistage stratified random sampling to undertake an analytical cross-sectional study. MHL was measured using Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS) and Mental Health Positive Knowledge (MHPK). Participants' most used mental health information sources and their trust in them were also inspected.ResultsA total of 543 students participated in this study. On average, the participants achieved about 65% of the total possible MHLS score, and 71% of participants showed sufficient MHPK score. The “internet” was the most used source for receiving and...
Mental health literacy towards depression among non-medical students at a Malaysian university
Mental health in family medicine, 2010
Background The aim of the present study was to evaluate the knowledge and perception of depression among students of University Sains Malaysia (USM), in Penang, Peninsular Malaysia.Method Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a pre-validated 21-item questionnaire among students at USM.Results A total of 500 respondents participated in the survey comprising 24.6% (n=123) males and 75.4% (n=377) females. Half (50.0%, n=250) were Malays, followed by Chinese (44.0%, n=220) and Indians (6.0%, n=30). Whilst exploring the respondents' knowledge of the symptoms of depression, it was found that Chinese females had a comparatively better knowledge (P=0.058) of the symptoms of depression in comparison with Malays and Indians. Overall, social issues were attributed as the possible cause of depression. A cursory knowledge level was observed regarding medication for depression. Female students were more inclined towards the use of alternative and traditional medicines. However, with re...
BMC Psychiatry, 2022
Background: This study was designed and conducted to determine the status of depression literacy (D-Lit) and its relationship with the quality of life across the Iranian population. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020 among 1382 participating from the general population in Gonabad, Iran. Participants were selected and recruited using a multistage sampling method. Data were collected using three sets of questionnaires (demographic section, D-Lit scale, and quality of life questionnaire). Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 24 and using independent samples t-test, Chi-square test, One-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. Results: Based on the results, the mean (± standard deviation) of D-Lit and quality of life were 44.14 (± 4.69) and 35.81 (± 5.17), respectively. Based on the results of Pearson correlation coefficient, there was a significant positive correlation between D-Lit and quality of life (r = 0.104, p < 0.001). D-Lit was significantly higher in those who reported having consulted with a psychiatrist compared with those who did not (p < 0.001). Participants with a family history of mental illness and those whose family members were referred to a psychologist for psychological issues had significantly higher levels of D-Lit than others (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, some D-Lit projects should be improved. Also, the results revealed that D-Lit is a potential factor that can affect people's mental health status and enhance their quality of life. Therefore, it is necessary to develop appropriate educational programs to enhance D-Lit in the community and ultimately improve the quality of life in the community by reducing mental illness.
An exploration of mental health literacy in relation to depression in secondary school pupils
Journal of Education and Training, 2017
Mental Health Literacy (MHL) refers to knowledge and beliefs about mental health problems. Although mostly studied in adult samples, it has been associated with help-seeking intentions and health service use in adolescents. The aim of the present study was to explore depression MHL and its association with help seeking intentions in a sample of adolescent participants (n = 235, 135 males) from the final three years of secondary school (mean = 16.6 years, SD = .65) in Ireland. Knowledge of depression and help-seeking intentions were measured using vignettes and self-report instruments. Findings show that the majority of adolescents recognised that a combination of depression symptoms constituted a serious mental health problem. However, they demonstrated very low MHL levels on specific symptoms such as somatic pains.The finding of restricted knowledge of depression symptoms, indicates a need for targeted interventions to improve MHL, and specifically of symptoms of depression.