• Ma. Kimberlei Fae Besmonte

Through the years, the WHO reports increasing rate of prevalence of mental health conditions among youth populations. COVID-19 pandemic even makes it worst putting them at high risk or vulnerable to mental health problems. Youth populations now represent a key population for addressing mental health yet many youths’ express reluctance towards help seeking. Considering the amount of time that almost all youth spend at school or in academics, it is important to assess the role of mental health literacy and stigma resistance in relation to students’ behavior toward help-seeking. This correlational study used an online self-administered questionnaire. Data from136 grade 7 to 10 students from a private school with mental health education and awareness program provided by the student welfare development office were analyzed and associated with attitudes regarding stigma resistance and behavior towards help-seeking. The mental health literacy in the current study (M= 4.122; SD=0.315) was found to be higher than that reported in international research. Students of an exclusive school with mental health programs also have high stigma resistance (M=3.66; SD=0.561) and high help-seeking behavior (M=3.85; SD=.504). The study revealed a significant positive correlation between mental health literacy (r=0.475; p<0.001), help-seeking behavior (r =0.678, p<0.001), and help-seeking behavior (r=0.559; p<0.001). This study demonstrates that both mental health literacy and stigma resistance significantly predicted help-seeking behavior (R2 = .532; Adj. R2 = .525; F (2, 133) = 75.5). Implementing appropriate interventions could be a key priority in mental health literacy, stigma resistance, and help seeking behaviors of students.

mental health, mental health literacy, stigma, stigma resistance, help-seeking behavior

"Mental Health Literacy, Stigma Resistance, and Help-Seeking Behavior Among High School Students", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 2, page no.b602-b615, February-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2402166.pdf

"Mental Health Literacy, Stigma Resistance, and Help-Seeking Behavior Among High School Students", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 2, page no. ppb602-b615, February-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2402166.pdf