Mental health literacy in Canadian young adults: Results of a national survey

Abstract

The present study explored the mental health literacy of young adults (18-24 years of age), in comparison to older adults (25-64 years of age), in a national survey of the mental health literacy of Canadians. Overall, both age groups demonstrated adequate mental health literacy and yet young adults, especially males, preferred to manage problems on their own and indicated being more likely to seek out informal sources of help. The results support the importance of considering the unique needs and preferences of young adults in order to improve help-seeking in this group.