Imagine that someone you love starts turning down opportunities to attend social gatherings like going to the movies, picnics, and parties. Then this person stops responding consistently to your texts, avoids eye contact when you do get together, and seems to be losing their energy or spark. They have trouble keeping up with daily routines and talk a lot about physical struggles such as headaches and stomach aches. Something doesn’t feel right to you, but you’re not sure what is happening or what to do. Imagine now if the person all these things are happening to is you.
Nearly one in seven people worldwide have a mental-health disorder. With the prevalence of mental disorders so high, odds are we all know and love someone who is struggling. But most of us have limited understanding of mental health, and sometimes misguided or inaccurate knowledge. If we improve our understanding, this could help us better identify when we are in distress and get the help we need. It can also potentially assist us in helping friends, family members, neighbors, and co-workers. As a psychologist, I believe we could all benefit from increased mental-health literacy.
The concept of mental-health literacy was first coined in the mid-1990s by a group of Australian researchers who began a series of studies to understand the public’s knowledge about mental health. Since then, extensive research on mental-health literacy has taken place in the U.S., Australia, Canada, the U.K., India, Japan, and elsewhere.
Data from 16 studies indicate two major trends in public awareness about mental health. First, we’re making some headway in recognizing that mental disorders often have some biological underpinnings. Second, there seems to be more acceptance of professional help for such difficulties. But it’s not nearly enough
Finding sound mental-health information can be challenging. The Internet has the potential to increase our access to evidence-informed knowledge and decrease unmet mental health needs, but there’s too much noise. And a lot of information online is of inadequate quality and lacks scientific evaluation. Rather than helping, random Internet searches on mental health could harm people most in need.
One way to further increase our mental health literacy is to take the free online Mental Health First Aid course. This could help us gain knowledge on how to recognize when a disorder is developing and provide information on help-seeking options and available treatments.
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One of the best resources for evidence-based information is the National Institute of Mental Health. Established in 1949, this is one of the world’s largest research organizations funding brain and behavior research. It offers valuable online public resources including signs and symptoms of a broad range of disorders including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and ADHD. It also provides information on the latest and best treatments and how to find a mental-health provider. Another accurate and up-to-date source is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the largest grassroots mental-health organization in the U.S. They too offer research informed information online on how to find support including a helpline.
While mental-health literacy is everybody’s business, there are limits to the appropriate use of such information, particularly in our offers to help others. Let’s take the example of problematic drinking. It’s good to be able to recognize our own or a family member’s struggles with alcohol. But there are differences in providing someone with encouragement and assistance in getting help and respecting their boundaries if they refuse or are uninterested. Mental-health literacy can help us distinguish the best way to approach issues like these.
If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental-health crisis or contemplating suicide, call or text 988. In emergencies, call 911, or seek care from a local hospital or mental health provider
