Exploring mental health literacy and psychological help-seeking in university students

Abstract

Background Mental health problems are increasingly prevalent among university students, yet many do not seek professional support. Mental health literacy (MHL) plays a crucial role in recognizing symptoms and engaging with available resources. This study aims to assess the mental health literacy levels and help-seeking attitudes of university students, highlighting implications for early intervention and public mental health promotion. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between 28.03.2023 and 26.04.2023 among students enrolled in a faculty of health sciences. Data were collected online using a Personal Information Form, the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS), and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale-Short Form (ATSPPHS-SF). Descriptive statistics and significance testing were performed to examine associations. Results Participants (mean age: 20±1) were predominantly female (89%), first-year students (60.3%), and nursing majors (61.2%). 75.1% had previously sought psychological support, and 61.2% trusted online psychological information. Significant associations were found between residential location and maternal education with the MHLS information subscale, and between past help-seeking and the MHLS resource subscale (p < 0.05). Past help-seeking was also significantly associated with ATSPPHS-SF scores (p < 0.05). Overall, participants’ MHLS and ATSPPHS-SF scores were moderate, with a significant positive correlation between them (p = 0.000). Conclusions Mental health literacy significantly influences students’ attitudes toward seeking psychological help. Enhancing MHL through university curricula can support early intervention and mental health promotion. Public health initiatives should include educational programs, increased access to psychological resources, and the involvement of psychiatric nurses in campus-wide mental health education efforts. Key messages • Higher mental health literacy supports early psychological help-seeking among students. • Curriculum-based MHL education can strengthen public mental health at the university level.