Mental Health Literacy of Junior High School in School of Non Soong Sub-district, Muang District, Udon Thani

Abstract

This research aimed to study mental health literacy of junior high school students in the school of Non Soong Sub-district, Muang district, Udon-Thani province. Samples were 206 junior high school students and a research tool was Mental Health Literacy Assessment consisting of five dimensions: (1) knowledge of mental illness prevention, (2) recognition of when mental health problems are developing, (3) knowledge of help-seeking and treatments available, (4) knowledge of effective self-help strategies, and (5) mental health first aid skills. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. The results showed that the mental health literacy of junior high school students in the school of Non Soong Sub-district, Muang district, Udon-Thani province in overall was identified at medium-high level (x= 3.56, SD.=0.58, 71.20 %). The study found that three dimensions of the mental health literacy as classified including knowledge of mental illness prevention, knowledge of effective self-help strategies, and knowledge of help-seeking and treatments available were indicated at medium-high level (x= 3.84, SD.=0.55, 76.80 %;x = 3.71, SD.=0.59, 74.20 %; x= 3.57, SD.=0.61, 71.40 % respectively). The mental health literacy regarding recognition of when mental health problems developing and mental health first aid skills was pointed out at medium level (x= 3.36, SD.=0.49, 67.20 %;x = 3.34, SD.= 0.51, 66.80 % respectively).