Analysis of College Students’ Insights from a Mental Health Literacy Webinar

Abstract ―​

Recent studies indicate that Filipino college students possess average mental health literacy. However, they have likewise been found to lack knowledge of the causes of mental illness, how to seek and avail professional help, and evidence-based treatments. Increasing mental health literacy is a protective means to promote effective help-seeking behaviors and decrease psychological distress. While mental health awareness sessions have been deemed effective in raising mental health literacy, what the participants learned and valued was seldom explored. If college students are to truly benefit from these activities, knowing what they gained from participating in such sessions would be essential. The current research aims to fill this to fill this gap by investigating student perspectives after attending a mental health webinar. The study employed a qualitative design using the phenomenological approach. Post-activity evaluations and survey responses of thirty-three (33) college students from a private, urban university in the Philippines who participated in a mental health literacy webinar were collected to serve as research data. Responses were coded and themed using Clarke and Braun's thematic analysis method. Research findings revealed that college students gained insights about caring for their well-being, effective help-seeking, and how to help those experiencing mental health distress. They similarly expressed a willingness to learn more about these topics. Mental health literacy information delivered as a webinar can be developed as a program to increase college students' capacity to care for their mental health and support others.