Mental health literacy: evidence from adolescences in IRAN

OBJECTIVES: Mental health literacy (MHL) plays an important role in identifying mental illnesses. If MHL is low in a community, the identification and treatment of mental illnesses are delayed, ultimately jeopardizing individuals' quality of life and well-being. Measuring health literacy levels in different regions and among various target groups is important. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, all students enrolled across three majors - medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy - were surveyed (n=296). Data were collected on variables including age, gender, marital status, place of residence, parents' education level, and students' MHL, which was measured by the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS). RESULTS: The level of MHL was moderate to high, with mean 90.80 ± 7.89. The level of MHL was significantly higher among students whose parents did not have a university education and in students who lived in dormitories. CONCLUSIONS: was insufficient, highlighting the need for active mental health education in schools, universities, and communities, and urging policymakers to prioritize this issue in health programs.