Investigating the effects of a mental health symposium on knowledge, attitudes, and practices of college student leaders in a rural institution in the Philippines

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate if there was a significant difference in the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of 122 college student leaders in a rural institution in the Philippines pre-and post mental health symposium. The study utilized a mixed methodology, mainly a pretest-posttest design. The participants completed an adapted and validated online instrument before and after the symposium, and the data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 27 and MAXQDA version 2020. While there were no significant differences between the pre-and posttest results, participants showed an increased understanding and tolerance of mental health challenges. In the focus group discussions, the participants were generally willing to help friends with mental health problems and integrate people with mental illnesses into the community. The study also highlighted a need for increased awareness and understanding of mental health and well-being in society and the importance of reducing stigma and supporting individuals with mental health challenges. In conclusion, despite improvements in knowledge and attitudes, stigma-related mental health knowledge remains critical in promoting awareness and support for individuals with mental health challenges. Moreover, our study emphasizes the importance of increased government spending on mental health services and promoting inclusivity and support for individuals with mental health challenges in the community.

Keywords

• College Students
• Mental Health
• Mental Health Stigma
• Well-being

References

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