Depression: [Mental] Health Literacy, Stigma, and Perceived Barriers to Help-Seeking During Transitions Among Undergraduate Nursing Students

Background/Objectives: Mental health literacy (MHL) can play a fundamental role in transition processes, influencing, for example, students’ entry and adaptation to higher education and later the transition to the job market. This study aims to assess MHL about depression in nursing students and to determine whether MHL and related variables are predictors of the year of study. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive correlational study was conducted with 478 nursing students (59.4% enrolled in the first year and 40.6% enrolled in the fourth year), predominantly women (82.2%), with a mean age of 20.41 years (SD=4.71) and median of 19.0 years. Results: On the one hand, there was a low level of recognition of depression and knowledge of mental health first aid (MHFA) strategies, including health literacy. On the other hand, students tended not to hold beliefs based on myths and stereotypes about mental illness and patients with mental illness and, therefore, did not have strongly stigmatizing views. MHL varies by year of study, with fourth-year students having more adequate MHL. Conclusions: Based on these results, there is a need to introduce MHL as a tool for academic success. One way to do this could be through health education programs that include health promotion and preventive mental health, including programs that promote MHFA.