Mental Health Literacy at the Public Health Level in Low and Middle Income Countries: An Exploratory Mixed Methods Study in Vietnam

<b>Purpose</b>

Mental health literacy (MHL) is key
for mental health development, particularly in low-and-middle-income countries
(LMIC) where mental health resources are limited. MHL development can be
thought of as occurring at two levels: the individual
person level (via direct contact, with specifically-targeted individuals), and
the public health level (via indirect
contact through public media, targeting the general public). Each approach has advantages
and disadvantages. <br>

<b><br>Methods</b>

The present mixed methods study
assessed the status of and best approaches for development of mental health
literacy in the Southeast Asian LMIC Vietnam. Because there has been relatively
little discussion of MHL development at the public health level, this
assessment focused on the public health level, although not exclusively. Because
mental health professionals generally have the most in-depth understanding of
their mental health system, study participants were 82 Vietnamese mental health professionals who completed
a quantitative survey, with 48 participating in focus groups. <br>

<b><br>Results</b>

Most of the professionals viewed MHL in Vietnam as low or very low, and that
it was difficult or very difficult for the general public to find effective
mental health services. Main barriers underlying these problems and more
generally for developing MHL in Vietnam identified in the focus groups were: (a)
misinformation in the media regarding mental health and mental illness; (b) lack
of licensure for non-medical mental health professionals (e.g., psychologists;
social workers); (c) lack of interest in mental health from upper-level
leadership. <br>

<b><br>Conclusions</b>

To the best of our knowledge,
this is the first study assessing professionals’ perceptions regarding mental
health literacy at both the public health and individual-person levels.
Although sampling was restricted to Vietnamese professionals, results may provide
initial preliminary guidance for other LMIC considering mental health literacy
development at multiple levels.