Have broad-based community and professional education programs influenced mental health literacy and treatment seeking of those with major depression and suicidal ideation?

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dc.contributor.authorGoldney, R.
dc.contributor.authorFisher, L.
dc.date.issued2008
dc.description.abstractMental health literacy is the knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders that aid in their recognition, management, or prevention; it is also a determinant of help seeking. As such, it is presumed to be important in community suicide prevention programs. In Australia there have been a number of government, professional, and charitable organizations as well as pharmaceutical company suicide prevention initiatives which have been designed to enhance public and professional knowledge about mental disorders, particularly depression. This naturalistic study conducted between 1998 and 2004 in a random and representative population sample examined the changes in mental health literacy and treatment seeking of those with major depression, both with and without suicidal ideation, and those who were neither depressed nor suicidal. Results indicated that there was marked improvement in mental health literacy for all three groups, although there was less change for those most in need of intervention (i.e., those with major depression and suicidal ideation). Furthermore, there were fewer changes in appropriate treatment seeking in those with major depression and suicidal ideation. These findings are consistent with literature reporting limited problem solving and decision making in those who are suicidal, and indicate that there are limits to broadbased community education programs. More focused suicide prevention initiatives are required, specifically for those who are depressed and suicidal.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityRobert D. Goldney and Laura J. Fisher
dc.identifier.citationSuicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 2008; 38(2):129-142
dc.identifier.doi10.1521/suli.2008.38.2.129
dc.identifier.issn0363-0234
dc.identifier.issn1943-278X
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/52298
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherGuilford Publications Inc
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1521/suli.2008.38.2.129
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectAntidepressive Agents
dc.subjectMass Screening
dc.subjectLongitudinal Studies
dc.subjectHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
dc.subjectSuicide
dc.subjectInformation Dissemination
dc.subjectCounseling
dc.subjectMental Disorders
dc.subjectDepressive Disorder, Major
dc.subjectPsychiatry
dc.subjectPsychology, Clinical
dc.subjectMental Health Services
dc.subjectCommunity Mental Health Services
dc.subjectSocial Work, Psychiatric
dc.subjectComorbidity
dc.subjectHealth Education
dc.subjectProfessional Competence
dc.subjectAdult
dc.subjectPatient Acceptance of Health Care
dc.subjectAustralia
dc.subjectFemale
dc.subjectMale
dc.subjectSurveys and Questionnaires
dc.subjectSuicide Prevention
dc.titleHave broad-based community and professional education programs influenced mental health literacy and treatment seeking of those with major depression and suicidal ideation?
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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