Mental health literacy - definition, importance, associations with sociodemographic factors: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Introduction Many persons with mental illnesses do not seek treatment, which leads to poor clinical and social results [1]. Current definitions of mental health literacy (MHL) are perceived as: an understanding of how to acquire and maintain positive mental health; understanding mental disorders and their treatment; reducing stigma associated with mental disorders; and increasing the efficiency of seeking help [2]. We find that research repeatedly reveal that the general population has a poor understanding of the signs of mental health issues and prefers self-help over standard medical therapy. Furthermore, we discover that MHL has age, gender, educational, urban-rural, and cross-cultural disparities, which may effect rates of help-seekingdifferently in various circumstances [3]. Aim The aim of this review is to determine the importance and definition of mental health literacy.Also to evaluate the associations between MHL and sociodemographic factors from availableliterature. Methods Data search was conducted using PubMed database. Keywords used for the research: mental health literacy, sociodemographic factors, mental disorder. Of the 2100 results, only those which specifically identified the definition of MHL, its importance and its relationship to certainsociodemographic factors were collected. Results Mental health literacy research to date has shown that many people do not seek help due to a variety of personal and structural barriers, such as fear of stigma related to depression or other mental illness or inability to recognize symptoms [3]. Since the definition of MHL was first proposed, researchers have drawn considerable public attention to the latter’s low levels of MHL and there is growing evidence that recognition of widespread mental disorders is lowin various developed and developing countries. In the U.S., for example, depression is recognized by <50% of teens and college students [4]. There is also evidence to suggest that gender, race, age, education, and overall cognitive functioning at the beginning are significantly related to MHL levels. Male MHL scores were lower than women’s, and African American population had lower MHL scores than Caucasian. Older participants had lower MHL scores than younger ones, while less educated participants had lower MHL scores than those with higher education [5]. Receiving more social support, having higher degrees of depression, and being married were all associated with a better mental health attitude among males [6]. […].