Changes in Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Mental Disorders in a Chinese Sample Population—A Web-based Approach

Background On October 10, 2022, The Lancet Psychiatry launched a global campaign aimed at ending the stigma surrounding mental illness, reinforcing the need for continued efforts to combat this pervasive issue. We previously surveyed knowledge and attitudes towards mental illness in a Chinese sample population. Seven years later, we aimed to conduct a study to reassess public perceptions of mental health and the level of mental illness literacy within the community today. Methods A cross-sectional survey was designed and administered via a web-based chat application (WeChat) from March to September 2024. The survey tools were consistent with those employed in 2017. The Mental Health Knowledge Questionnaire (MHKQ) and the Perceived Devaluation and Discrimination Scale (PDDS) were used to evaluate the respondents’ mental health knowledge and attitudes towards mental illness. The study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University. Results A total of 1061 respondents were involved in the study. When education was included as a covariate, the adjusted mean total scores for the PDDS and MHKQ were (36.03 ± 0.19) and (16.51 ± 2.53), respectively, significantly higher than the survey results of 2017. Females were more closely associated with positive attitudes towards mental illness than males ( t  = − 2.06, P  = 0.039). Respondents in the following groups were associated with higher MHKQ scores (all P  < 0.05): Females; those with higher education levels; those who have had experience of others with mental illness; those who have learned about mental illness through personal experiences; those under 45 years old; and urban residents. Conclusions Attitudes and knowledge levels showed positive changes between the two survey periods, suggesting potential improvements in mental health literacy among surveyed populations.More anti-stigma campaigns should be carried out for certain targeted groups, such as urban residents and middle-aged and elderly groups.