Have mental health education programs influenced the mental health literacy of those with major depression and suicidal ideation? A comparison between 1998 and 2008 in South Australia

Peter N. Chamberlain, Robert D. Goldney, Anne Taylor, Kerena A. Eckert

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Mental health literacy is the knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders that aid their recognition, management, or prevention and is considered to be an important determinant of help-seeking. This has relevance in suicide prevention, as depression, the clinical condition most frequently associated with suicidality, has been the target of community and professional education programs designed to enhance mental health literacy. In this study, whether such programs have influenced help-seeking attitudes and behavior in those who are depressed and suicidal was considered. The results indicate that despite intensive community education programs over the last two decades, there has been little change in those who are depressed and suicidal in terms of their attitudes toward treatment seeking and, more importantly, their treatment-seeking behavior. These results draw into question the value of current community education programs for those most vulnerable to suicidal behavior.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)525-540
Number of pages16
JournalSuicide and Life-Threatening Behavior
Volume42
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished or Issued - 1 Oct 2012
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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