MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY
Journal Title: ESTÜDAM Halk Sağlığı Dergisi - Year 2018, Vol 3, Issue 2
Abstract
Health literacy is one of the most important social determinants of health, defined as cognitive and social skills, which determine the individual's ability to access, understand and use healthrelated information. Mental health literacy (MHL) is a component of health literacy and it is still developing. MHL is defined as "knowledge and belief in recognizing, managing and preventing mental disorders". The level of mental health literacy plays decisive role in the mental health of individuals and the community. The concept of mental health literacy is to draw attention to a subject that has been neglected for the sake of bringing to the agenda. As mental health disorders are prevalent, individuals are likely to encounter an ordinary or urgent situation with themselves or their relatives with these diseases. As the level of mental health literacy increases, behaviors such as awareness of mental health disorders and proper use of appropriate treatment resources increase in individuals. Improvement of mental health literacy improves the knowledge and attitudes about mental health as well as improves mental health behavior and reduces stigmatization. Understanding the responsible mechanisms between mental health literacy and mental health related health outcomes is critical to the interventions for mental health disorders. Educational programs aimed at increasing mental health literacy are reported to improve health and social outcomes, thus reducing the burden of illness. The concept of mental health literacy is a very new concept for our country and there is a lack of research on this subject. It will be useful to conduct research into this issue in our country to determine and monitor the level of knowledge, beliefs and attitudes about the mental health of the community. After that, by interventions from a public health point of view to increase mental health literacy for individuals and the community by the level of mental health literacy level, age, gender, will enable people to better manage their mental health for themselves and their relatives.
Authors and Affiliations
Saniye Göktaş, Burhanettin Işıklı, Selma Metintaş
Keywords
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