Mental health literacy in Austria - results of the first representative population survey

Abstract Background Mental health has been a pressing public health issue long before COVID-19 and is even more so now. In this context, strengthening mental health literacy (MHL) is seen as a key lever for improving the mental health of the population. qAs there are no nationwide data available, the aim of our study was to collect data on MHL in Austria. Methods Data on population MHL were collected in 2023 as part of the second wave of the ‘Health Promotion Panel’, a representative survey of the Austrian resident population aged 16 and over. Data were collected online and by mail from approximately 1,000 individuals. As part of the M-POHL Health Literacy Survey 2024-2026, we developed and tested a new survey instrument to measure MHL. The MHL instrument comprises 26 MHL tasks distributed across four domains (mental well-being, mental stress, mental health problems, mental illness). The respondents were asked to rate the tasks according to their perceived ease and difficulty. Associations with sociodemographic factors and mental well-being were examined using bivariate and multivariate methods. Results In all four domains of MHL, respondents rated tasks related to finding and understanding information and services as easier. Tasks related to judging and applying information and services were rated as more difficult. The results indicate that MHL differs according to age and educational level. Across all tasks and domains of MHL, people aged 60+ and those with lower education exhibited greater difficulties with the MHL tasks. While people aged 60+ had the greatest difficulty in judging information and services, people with lower education had greater difficulty in almost all domains. Conclusions This study was the first representative study on MHL and showed major deficits in MHL among the Austrian population, also in prevention and health promotion. Targeted interventions are urgently needed to strengthen MHL in Austria, targeting the most vulnerable population groups. Key messages • A large proportion of the Austrian population has difficulty dealing with information and services to promote, maintain and restore mental health. • The difficulties also affect the areas of prevention and health promotion that are crucial for coping with mental stress and enhancing well-being in everyday life.