Mental health literacy and its determinants among late adolescents in South India: A cross-sectional study

<h2>Abstract</h2><h3>Background</h3> Mental health literacy (MHL) plays an integral role in addressing mental health challenges, reducing stigma, and promoting well-being among adolescents. This study intended to assess the MHL level and identify its socio-demographic determinants among late adolescents in India, which has the world's largest adolescent population. <h3>Methods</h3> A cross-sectional study was carried out among 1536 late adolescents enrolled in undergraduate programs at institutions affiliated with Mangalore University in the Udupi district, Karnataka. Multistage cluster random sampling was used to recruit participants. Data were collected using the standardized Mental Health Literacy questionnaire -Young Adults and a socio-demographic proforma. One-way ANOVA and unpaired t-tests were used to compare MHL scores across demographic variables. Ordinal logistic regression was performed to identify the key determinants of MHL. <h3>Results</h3> The mean global MHL score was 96.4 9.4, indicating moderate MHL. Among participants,83% had moderate,15% low, and 2% high MHL. Higher MHL scores were associated with females (<i>P</i> < .001), urban residence (<i>P</i> = .04), study streams (<i>P</i> < .001), academic year (<i>P</i> < .001), fathers'(<i>P</i> < .001) and mothers' education (<i>P</i> < .001), fathers' (<i>P</i> = .003) and mothers' occupation (<i>P</i> < .001) and monthly family income (<i>P</i> = .01). Ordinal logistic regression identified sex, study streams, parental education, and mothers' occupation as the key determinants of MHL. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The study found moderate MHL among the participants with significant socio-demographic disparities. Integrating MHL interventions into academic curricula, conducting campus-wide MHL campaigns, and improving mental health services in remote areas are essential to bridge these gaps.