A population assessment of young people's mental health literacy.

The aim of this study was to assess young people's mental health literacy in relation to psychosis and depression. It forms part of the baseline measure for the evaluation of a community awareness campaign called The Compass Strategy. A cross-sectional telephone survey using structured interviews was conducted. Vignettes of a person with either depression or psychosis were presented. The randomly selected sample was comprised of 1207 young people aged 12-25 from Melbourne and surrounding rural areas. Overall depression was far more frequently correctly identified than psychosis. A significantly higher proportion of females were able to correctly identify depression and psychosis. Counsellors, family members and friends were the preferred source of help overall followed by General Practitioners and Psychiatrists. However, there were significant differences between disorders in ranking of these sources of help. Vitamins and herbal treatments were rated as more helpful than antidepressants and antipsychotics. To increase early recognition of mental illness by the general public, efforts need to focus on improving knowledge of both signs and symptoms, and effectiveness of treatments. Family, friends and young males are particularly important targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]