Determination ti on of Mental Health Literacy, Help-Seeking Behaviours and Psychological Distress Levels of Health Science Students

Background and Objective: ti ve: Mental health literacy and psychological distress levels in students of health sciences are essential ti al because these students are candidates of future health professionals who are supposed to be equipped with robust psychological endurance. This study aims to determine mental health literacy levels among health sciences students and its relationship ti onship with psychological distress status, mental well-being condition, ti on, and their seeking psychological professional help. Materials and Methods: Using a cross-sectional ti onal design, four interviewer- administered scales were applied to students of Health Sciences Faculty in Istanbul, T & uuml;rkiye, with 2.791 students during the spring term of the 2021-22 academic year. Although all students of the faculty were invited to participate ti cipate in the study, only 505 responded. Data were analysed using correlation ti on and linear regression methods. Results: On a 22-point scale, the mean MHL Scale score was 14.53 +/- 3.31, with higher scores in females than in males (14.96 versus 12.82). MHL scores were positively ti vely affected ff ected by having friends with mental health problems and in attendees tt endees of higher grades and health-specific departments. MHL levels and psychological help-seeking attitudes tti tudes of the participants ti cipants were correlated with higher educational ti onal activities ti vi ti es and health-related courses. A significant proportion ti on of participants ti cipants (36%) obtained information ti on on mental health from social media/internet sources. Increased psychological distress negatively ti vely affected ff ected the student's academic achievement. Conclusion: The mental health literacy was positively ti vely and significantly affected ff ected by greater attitudes tti tudes toward seeking psychological professional help, mental well-being, female gender, and availability of information ti on for mental health.