Mental health literacy in post-secondary students
Published online on November 03, 2015
Abstract
The transition from high school to college or university is an important time to enhance mental health literacy for young people. This study evaluated the second edition of a resource entitled Transitions, a comprehensive life-skills resource with embedded mental health information available in book, e-book and iPhone app formats for post-secondary students.
In this cross-sectional/one-off study, students’ opinions about the impact of the resource were gained through in-person and online surveying.
The survey took place on a local university campus in Canada. Frequencies of responses and sex differences in answers were analysed using Predictive Analytics Software (PASW) 17. In total, 82 students from a large, Canadian research university completed the survey.
Reading Transitions (2nd edition) improved student knowledge about and decreased stigma towards mental health and mental illness and increased help-seeking efficacy. There were sex differences in response regarding discussion of the resource with others and help-seeking intentions.
Given the positive results of this study conducted at a single university, the resource could potentially be valuable in other post-secondary settings as well.