An exploratory study of the benefits of youth mental health literacy studies for social work students

ABSTRACT

This exploratory study compared mental health knowledge and beliefs of social work students before and after undertaking studies in youth mental health literacy. Vignettes were used to assess youth mental health literacy in relation to depression, depression with suicidal thoughts, depression with substance misuse, social phobia, posttraumatic stress disorder, and psychosis. The study findings indicate benefits of mental health literacy studies for social work students. It is concluded that survey respondents had improved rates of recognition of mental disorders, particularly depression with substance misuse and psychosis following completion of studies in mental health literacy as well as increased knowledge of helpful interventions.

KEYWORDS:

• Intentions
• interventions
• mental disorders
• vignettes
• youth mental health literacy

Acknowledgments

Sincere thanks to Betty Kitchener, OAM, Chief Executive Officer of Mental Health First Aid Australia, for her encouragement, generosity, and support in providing guidance and feedback on the development of the survey. Thanks also to Dr. Nicola Reavley from the Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health at The University of Melbourne for permission to use the youth vignettes and for advice and guidance on data recording and analysis.