An exploratory study of the benefits of youth mental health literacy studies for social work students

This exploratory study compared mental health knowledge and beliefs of social work students before and after undertaking studies in youth mental health literacy. Vignettes were used to assess youth mental health literacy in relation to depression, depression with suicidal thoughts, depression with substance misuse, social phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and psychosis. The study findings indicate benefits of mental health literacy studies for social work students. It is concluded that survey respondents had improved rates of recognition of mental disorders, particularly depression with substance misuse and psychosis following completion of studies in mental health literacy as well as increased knowledge of helpful interventions.