Rethinking measurement: a preliminary study of mental health literacy among college students

College students commonly experience mental health concerns but may not seek treatment. Mental health literacy (MHL) may help to explain the perspectives college students hold and their help seeking behaviors. However, there are challenges with the measures used to assess MHL. We investigated college student perception of mental health, mental health challenges, and mental health treatments in preparation for measurement development. A sample of 127 college students was recruited from a four-year institution in the Southeastern United States. Participants completed survey measures of depression and anxiety; questions about the knowledge, importance and conceptualizations of MHL; symptoms of a variety of mental health conditions (including mania and schizophrenia); preferences for treatment; awareness of resources; and willingness to seek help. High levels of depression and anxiety were found in this sample, who also believed they had adequate levels of MHL (59.8 on a scale of 1–100). Findings indicated positive conceptualizations of MHL and a willingness to seek support from a variety of professional and non-professional sources. However, the results showed that college students lacked knowledge about conditions beyond depression and anxiety, and treatments available. Future development of an instrument used to measure MHL requires a nuanced approach. Results suggest that college students are lacking in information about symptoms, treatments, and supportive care for a variety of mental health conditions. Additionally, results suggest that MHL is limited to understanding of conditions such as depression and anxiety. These results indicate that more education around MHL for college students is necessary.