MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY OF SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN IN LAMPANG PROVINCE

Abstract

Background: Mental health literacy (MHL) is associated with the likelihood of sustaining mental health illness, and an ability to prevent and reduce the severity of mental health problems. School-age children experience physical and cognitive changes which can affect their psychological wellbeing. Promoting mental health literacy among school-age children is therefore important in order to promote psychological wellbeing and prevent mental health problems.

Objective: To describe mental health literacy among school- age children in Lampang province and to compare mental health literacy between children live with their biological parents and children living with other people.

Methods: The sample consisted of 406 primary school students aged 10-12 years old in Lampang province. The study took place between January-March 2017. The instrument was self-rating mental health literacy consisting of three domains: mental health knowledge, mental health attitude, and mental health efficacy. Descriptive statistics and independent t-test were used for data analysis.

Results: Mental health literacy among school-age children in Lampang province was at a moderate level. With regards to individual domains, mental health knowledge, mental health attitude, and mental health efficacy were at a moderate leoverall mental health literacy between children living with parents and those living with others.

Conclusion and Recommendations: The results of this study which revealed moderate level of mental health literacy among school-aged children warrant educational interventions to promote mental health literacy among this population. These interventions may target the children, parents and teachers.