Mental health literacy among students in a private higher education institution

Abstract

This study examines the Mental Health Literacy (MHL) of 385 college students at Central Philippine University during the Academic Year 2024–2025. The findings reveal an overall “average” level of MHL, with students demonstrating strong knowledge in disorder recognition and professional help-seeking but displaying gaps in attitudes toward seeking assistance. Differences in MHL across academic disciplines indicate that students in health-related programs exhibit a higher understanding of mental health concepts, while those in non-health fields show varying degrees of awareness. Statistical analyses reveal significant disparities in the knowledge of risk factors, self-treatment strategies, and recognition of professional mental health support. However, overall MHL does not significantly differ when grouped by sex. These findings underscore the importance of integrating structured mental health education, stigma-reduction initiatives, and discipline specific interventions within university curricula to foster a more informed and supportive academic environment.