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Title: Assessing mental health literacy among students of KNUST Senior High School?
Authors: A. Yeboah1, R.O. Adjei1, S.K. Nartey1, N. Tagoe1
Affiliation:?
1Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology?
Abstract?
Background: Adolescents tend to have limited mental health literacy, significantly
affecting their ability to identify any signs of distress they may experience, their attitudes
toward mental disorders, and their help-seeking behaviors.
Objectives: This study aimed to assess the mental health knowledge of senior high
school (SHS) students, determine their attitudes and perceptions toward mental
disorders, and identify the factors that influence their help-seeking behaviors.?
Methods: A cross-sectional design was used. 270 students from KNUST SHS were
recruited for the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, adopted
from the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS), developed by O’Connor &Casey (2015).
Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27.?
Key Findings: About 98% of the students were aged between 14 and 20 years, with 58%
being female. A greater proportion (77%) indicated a moderate level of knowledge on
recognizing a mental disorder, risk factors, and causes, and self-treatment, with 19% and
4% showing high and low levels of knowledge, respectively. However, only 28%
demonstrated positive attitudes towards mental disorders; the rest, neutral or negative.
Despite showing moderate knowledge on mental health, participants exhibited negative
help-seeking behaviors, with only 7% indicating willingness to seek help. The evidence
showed that the level of mental health knowledge did not significantly influence
willingness to seek help, indicating that knowledge alone may not be a sufficient
motivator in promoting help-seeking behaviors.?
Conclusion: The results suggest a growing awareness of mental health-related issues
among adolescents, but hesitance and resistance in help-seeking. Interventions targeted
at adolescents should go beyond merely enhancing knowledge and include strategies
that foster positive attitudes and actively support help-seeking behaviors.?
Keywords: Mental health, Literacy, adolescents