Background:

Mental health literacy is defined as knowledge and beliefs of mental disorders that help to their recognition, management and prevention. The available evidence shows that improved knowledge of mental health and mental disorders, a better awareness of how to seek help and treatment, and reduction of stigma against mental illness at the individual, community and institutional levels, can improve the results of the mental health and increase the use of health services.

Objective:

To analyze the literature in mental health literacy, also to establish the importance of this one in adolescent school population to improve mental health problems and reduce the attention gap.

Conclusions:

Mental health literacy is considered relevant for the identification and early intervention of mental disorders in the adolescent school population.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )