Recognition of mental disorders and beliefs about treatment: results from a mental health literacy survey of Japanese high school students

Abstract

The aim of the study was to carry out a survey of Japanese high school students in order to assess recognition and beliefs about treatments for mental disorders. In 2011, 311 Japanese high school students aged 15–19 years filled out an anonymous self-report questionnaire containing a case vignette describing depression, schizophrenia or social phobia. Subsequent questions covered: what was wrong with the person, help-seeking intentions and the likely helpfulness of treatments. Only 14.3% of students correctly labelled depression. Rates of recognition for schizophrenia (or psychosis) and social phobia were 8.3% (or 23.1%) and 26.8% respectively. Friends were nominated as the most likely sourc..