Adolescent mental health literacy: young people's knowledge of depression and help seeking.
This study examined the mental health literacy of a group of adolescents, with particular reference to their ability to recognize symptoms of depression in their peers. Respondents were 202 Australian adolescents (122 males, 80 females) aged 15-17 years. Their mental health literacy was examined through a questionnaire that presented them with five scenarios of young people. Respondents showed a mixed ability to correctly recognize and label depression, although they were able to differentiate depressed and non-depressed scenarios in terms of severity and expected recovery time. Results are discussed in light of findings from adult mental health literacy and clinical implications.
Shore School, Australia.
John R
JR
Burns
Ronald M
RM
Rapee
D000293:Adolescent; D003071:Cognition; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires