Positive Mental Health Literacy: A Concept Analysis

Abstract

BackgroundThe positive component of Mental Health Literacy (PMeHL) refers to a person’s awareness of how to achieve and maintain good mental health. Although explored recently, the term still lacks a clear definition among healthcare practitioners.AimTo identify the attributes and characteristics of PMeHL, as well as its theoretical and practical applications.MethodsLiterature search (using the Medline and CINAHL databases) and review, covering the last 21 years, followed by concept analysis according to the steps described by Walker and Avant approach.ResultsPositive component of Mental Health Literacy is considered one component of MHL, integrating positive mental health. The concept’s attributes include: (a) competence in problem-solving and self-actualization; (b) personal satisfaction; (c) autonomy; (d) relatedness and interpersonal relationship skills; (e) self-control; and (f) prosocial attitude. Four case scenarios (model, borderline, related and contrary cases) were used to clarify the antecedents (individual factors and social/contextual factors) and consequences (individual sphere; relational/social sphere; contextual/organizational sphere) of PMeHL.ConclusionPositive component of Mental Health Literacy is considered a component of MHL, which deserves attention throughout the lifespan, in different contexts and intervention levels. Considering PMeHL as a multi-faceted and dynamic construct will help understand the mechanisms that improve mental health and promote healthy behaviors. Priority should be given to robust primary research focused on nursing interventions that enhance and sustain PMeHL in people and families.

Mental Health Literacy: It Is Now Time to Put Knowledge into Practice

“…According to that concept analysis, positive mental health is one component of mental health literacy. The other components include (a) competence in problem-solving and self-actualization; (b) personal satisfaction; (c) autonomy; (d) relatedness and interpersonal relationship skills; (e) self-control; and (f) a prosocial attitude [ 13 ].…”

The impact of the psychoeducational workshops »Emotional carousel of relationships: let's recognize personality disorders among us« on the level of literacy about personality disorders

“…Ne nazadnje o velikem zanimanju za to področje kaže tudi skokovit porast raziskav v zadnjem desetletju, ki postajajo vse bolj usmerjene v prepoznavanje specifičnih težav v duševnem zdravju, v specifične skupine ljudi in okoliščine iskanja pomoči (Hamid in Furnham, 2014;Sweileh, 2021). Zadnja prizadevanja na tem področju se usmerjajo tudi v pozitivno komponento opismenjevanja o duševnem zdravju (poimenovano tudi pismenost o pozitivnem duševnem zdravju), ki se nanaša na zavedanje osebe o tem, kako doseči in ohraniti dobro duševno zdravje (Carvalho in sod., 2022). Če so se še do nedavno promocijske aktivnosti in raziskave na področju pismenosti o duševnem zdravju večinoma osredotočale na slabo duševno zdravje in pri tem izpostavljale predvsem negativni vidik duševnih motenj, vedno več novejših raziskav dokazuje, da ima spodbujanje pozitivnega duševnega zdravja dolgoročnejše koristi (Bjørnsen in sod., 2018;Teixeira in sod., 2019).…”

“…Če so se še do nedavno promocijske aktivnosti in raziskave na področju pismenosti o duševnem zdravju večinoma osredotočale na slabo duševno zdravje in pri tem izpostavljale predvsem negativni vidik duševnih motenj, vedno več novejših raziskav dokazuje, da ima spodbujanje pozitivnega duševnega zdravja dolgoročnejše koristi (Bjørnsen in sod., 2018;Teixeira in sod., 2019). Atributi, ki definirajo pismenost o pozitivnem duševnem zdravju (Carvalho in sod., 2022)…”

“…Psihoedukacijska delavnica o osebnostnih motnjah je bila osnovana na konceptu pismenosti o duševnem zdravju, v katerega smo pri vsebinskem in izvedbenem vidiku vnesli tudi nekatere atribute pozitivnega duševnega zdravja (Carvalho in sod., 2022). Učinke tega smotra seveda ni mogoče preverjati neposredno po delavnici, saj gre za dolgoročnejše učinke.…”

Positive Mental Health and Mental Health Literacy of Informal Caregivers: A Scoping Review

“…The knowledge and use of those strategies depend on the MHL level: the higher the level, the greater the knowledge and ability to respond appropriately to the challenges and difficulties related to the situation of caring for someone who is dependent [ 17 ]. People with higher levels of positive mental health literacy (MHL+) are more predisposed to engage in self-care and search for better resources with their family, the social support structure, the community, and the health system [ 18 ]. Therefore, we believe that the intervention of health professionals from a salutogenic and socio-ecological perspective with family caregivers, considering the individual, social, and contextual factors that influence the MHL+, will determine a greater motivation and competence to access, understand, assess, and apply information.…”