Knowledge and attitude toward mental health and mental health problems among secondary school students in Jordan

Objective: Examine secondary school students' knowledge and attitude about mental health, mental health problems, and interacting with people with mental health problems. Methods: A survey was carried out with 500 students in secondary schools in the northern area of Jordan. Results: A variance in knowledge and attitude was predicted by the regression model. Family income, having a family member with a mental disorder, and experience with people with mental health problems were the major predictors of knowledge about and attitude toward interacting with people with mental health problems. Conclusion: The results indicate that secondary school students have low knowledge about mental health problems and people with mental health problems. Moreover, they have a negative attitude toward interacting with people with mental health problems. Hence, there is a strong need to better educate young people about mental health and the diverse types of mental health problems that exist, as well as to help them to develop a more constructive and appropriate attitude. Implications for Practice: Improving the scope of the school curriculum on topics relating to people with mental health problems would help students to make more objective evaluations of people with mental health problems.