Knowledge and attitude toward mental health and mental health problems among secondary school students in Jordan.

OBJECTIVE

Examine secondary school students' knowledge and attitude about mental health, mental health problems, and interacting with people with mental health problems.

METHODS

A survey was carried out with 500 students in secondary schools in the northern area of Jordan.

RESULTS

A variance in knowledge and attitude was predicted by the regression model. Family income, having a family member with a mental disorder, and experience with people with mental health problems were the major predictors of knowledge about and attitude toward interacting with people with mental health problems.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that secondary school students have low knowledge about mental health problems and people with mental health problems. Moreover, they have a negative attitude toward interacting with people with mental health problems. Hence, there is a strong need to better educate young people about mental health and the diverse types of mental health problems that exist, as well as to help them to develop a more constructive and appropriate attitude.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Improving the scope of the school curriculum on topics relating to people with mental health problems would help students to make more objective evaluations of people with mental health problems.