Mental health literacy in post-secondary students

Objectives: The transition from high school to college or university is an important time to enhance mental health literacy for young people. This study evaluated the second edition of a resource entitled Transitions, a comprehensive life-skills resource with embedded mental health information available in book, e-book and iPhone app formats for post-secondary students. Design: In this cross-sectional/one-off study, students' opinions about the impact of the resource were gained through in-person and online surveying. Methods: The survey took place on a local university campus in Canada. Frequencies of responses and sex differences in answers were analysed using Predictive Analytics Software (PASW) 17. In total, 82 students from a large, Canadian research university completed the survey. Results: Reading Transitions (2nd edition) improved student knowledge about and decreased stigma towards mental health and mental illness and increased help-seeking efficacy. There were sex differences in response regarding discussion of the resource with others and help-seeking intentions. Conclusion: Given the positive results of this study conducted at a single university, the resource could potentially be valuable in other post-secondary settings as well.