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:: Volume 13, Issue 2 (4-2025) ::
Iran J Health Educ Health Promot 2025, 13(2): 200-212 Back to browse issues page
Evaluating the Impact of an Educational Intervention Based on the Adapted Mental Health Literacy Curriculum on Barriers and Help-Seeking Behaviors Among High School Students
Zahra Saboohi , Mahsa Nazarnia , Avasadat Hoseini , Mahnaz Solhi *
Abstract:   (726 Views)
Background and Objectives: Mental health disorders are significant public health challenges that impact adolescents. In Iran, the high prevalence of mental health issues and the lack of help-seeking behavior among adolescents highlight the necessity of improving mental health literacy. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention based on the Canadian Mental Health Literacy Curriculum (adapted for Iran) on reducing barriers and improving help-seeking behaviors among high school students.

Materials and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental, cluster-based study conducted in 2023 among 200 female high school students in Saveh, Iran. Participants were selected using multistage cluster sampling and were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 100) or the control group (n = 100). Data collection tools included standard questionnaires on "Barriers to Help-Seeking" and "Help-Seeking Behaviors." The intervention group participated in a 6-week educational program. Data were collected at three time points (before, one month after, and three months after the intervention) and analyzed using SPSS version 21 and repeated-measures ANOVA.

Results: Results indicated that variables were homogenous between the two groups prior to the intervention. Following the intervention, a significant reduction in perceived barriers to help-seeking was observed in the intervention group (p < 0.05). However, while there was an increase in help-seeking behaviors in the intervention group, the change was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the control group before and after the intervention (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The findings suggest that the adapted Mental Health Literacy Curriculum effectively reduced perceived barriers and fostered a more positive attitude toward help-seeking. However, these changes did not significantly translate into improved help-seeking behaviors. This study underscores the importance of designing interventions that not only enhance mental health literacy but also improve access to services, strengthen self-efficacy, and address perceived barriers among adolescents.

Open Access Policy: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Keywords: Mental Health Literacy, Barriers, Help-Seeking Behavior, Early Intervention, Educational, Adolescent
Full-Text [PDF 333 kb]   (408 Downloads)    
Type of Study: Research | Subject: Health psychology
Received: 2024/08/29 | Accepted: 2025/01/27
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Saboohi Z, Nazarnia M, Hoseini A, Solhi M. Evaluating the Impact of an Educational Intervention Based on the Adapted Mental Health Literacy Curriculum on Barriers and Help-Seeking Behaviors Among High School Students. Iran J Health Educ Health Promot 2025; 13 (2) :200-212
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Volume 13, Issue 2 (4-2025) Back to browse issues page
فصلنامه آموزش بهداشت و ارتقاء سلامت ایران Iranian Journal of Health Education and Health Promotion
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