Determining the mental health literacy level of university students and examining their attitudes towards seeking psychological help

This study was conducted in a descriptive design to examine the mental health literacy levels and attitudes towards seeking psychological help among university students. After obtaining ethical approval and institutional permission, the study was conducted with students from Haliç University Faculty of Health Sciences. The study process took place between 28.03.2023-26.04.2023. The data of the study were collected through an online platform using a Personal Information Form, the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS) and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale-Short Form (ATSPPHS-SF). The study found that the participants had an average age of 20±1, 89% were female, 61.2% were enrolled in the Nursing Department, 60.3% were in their first year, 75.1% had previously sought psychological support, and 61.2% reported that the psychology information they obtained online was accurate. There were statistically significant differences between the participants' residential location and maternal education level with the Information Subscale of MHLS, as well as between the history of seeking psychological support and the Resource Subscale of MHLS (p<0.05). There was also a statistically significant difference between the history of seeking psychological support and ATSPPHS-SF (p<0.05). The participants' scores on MHLS (13.15±3.38) and ATSPPHS-SF (18.38±3.77) indicated a moderate level, and there was a positive and significant relationship between the total scores of the scales (p=0.000). In result, mental health literacy is an important determinant for increasing the rate of seeking psychological help when needed. Addressing the lack of knowledge regarding mental health is crucial for early diagnosis, prevention, protection, and maintenance of mental health problems. It is recommended to incorporate mental health literacy content into the curriculum of university students, initiate efforts to provide them with information about psychological help resources and processes, and engage psychiatric nurses in an educational role within the campus through multidisciplinary planning.