Mental Health Literacy among Young and Adult Population in the Caraga Region, Philippines

Abstract

Background. Mental health literacy (MHL) is an important mental health strategy since it contributes to early detection, enhances help-seeking behavior, and reduces stigma and discrimination against people with mental disorders.

Objective. The objectives of the present study were to assess the level of mental health literacy and its correlation, and to examine the predictive effect of demographic profiles on mental health literacy among young and adult populations in the five cities of Caraga, using a standardized mental health literacy scale in 2023.

Methods. This study applied a cross-sectional survey. It surveyed 729 individuals from five cities in Caraga using the Mental Health Literacy Scale from Dias et al. Descriptive analysis, such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, and inferential statistics, such as Pearson correlation, independent t-test, and multi-linear regression, were used for data analysis.

Results. The mental health literacy of the young and adult populations can be classified as adequate or good. Zooming in on details, the respondents have a very good understanding of help-seeking behavior and self-strategies but only a good understanding of knowledge and beliefs/attitudes. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between knowledge, erroneous beliefs, self-strategies, and help-seeking behavior (p <0.001). In addition, Independent t-test and ANOVA revealed significant differences in sex, family income, employment, civil status, educational level, and age group (p <0.01). A multiple linear regression indicated that demographic profile predictors were found to be statistically significant, and positively with mental health literacy, with education and family income as the strongest predictors.

Conclusion. The present study concluded that the young and adult populations in the five cities in Caraga have adequate literacy on mental health, encompassing knowledge, beliefs, self-strategies, and help-seeking behaviors. The increases in knowledge, belief, and self-strategies are associated with their higher level of help-seeking; in addition, the demographic profiles (e.g., sex, age, education, monthly income, and employment) have implications on young and adults’ mental health literacy in the five cities in Caraga. The result may not be generalizable beyond the studied region or demographic. In addition, it recommended that mental health literacy programs prioritize individuals with lower levels of education and family income as these factors were found to have the most significant influence.