Mental health literacy and participatory care in adolescent community mental health services: application of an autonomy-oriented intervention
1
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
2
University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2576
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Adolescence is a critical period for the onset of mental health problems, yet low levels of mental health literacy limit help-seeking among young people. In Brazil, adolescents receiving care in Psychosocial Care Centers for Children and Adolescents (CAPSi) frequently use psychotropic medications. Strategies that promote autonomy and access to high-quality information are essential to improve health outcomes1-2. This study is part of an ongoing doctoral project evaluating the Gaining Autonomy & Medication Management (GAM)3 strategy as an educational intervention to improve mental health literacy among adolescents receiving psychosocial care.
METHODS:
First, the Mental Health Literacy Scale4 will be translated, culturally adapted, and psychometrically validated for Brazilian Portuguese following Beaton5 and collaborators methodology for cross-cultural adaptation of instruments and the COSMIN Study Design checklist6. Second, a pre- and post-intervention study will be conducted with adolescents receiving care in CAPSi in Recife, Brazil. Participants will be interviewed and complete the Brazilian version of the Mental Health Literacy Scale before and after participating in group sessions using the Brazilian version of the GAM strategy. Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics comparing pre- and post-intervention results and sociodemographic variables. Qualitative data from the interviews will be analyzed through thematic content analysis.
RESULTS:
The Brazilian adaptation of the Mental Health Literacy Scale has been translated and evaluated by a panel of experts. In this initial evaluation, only one item on the scale received a score below 0.78 on the item-level Content Validity Index7 and was subsequently revised in accordance with expert recommendations.
CONCLUSIONS:
The Brazilian Portuguese version of the Mental Health Literacy Scale is expected to demonstrate adequate validity and reliability for use with adolescents. After the intervention, participants are expected to show improved mental health literacy, particularly regarding knowledge of mental disorders, treatment options, and available support services.
Adolescence is a critical period for the onset of mental health problems, yet low levels of mental health literacy limit help-seeking among young people. In Brazil, adolescents receiving care in Psychosocial Care Centers for Children and Adolescents (CAPSi) frequently use psychotropic medications. Strategies that promote autonomy and access to high-quality information are essential to improve health outcomes1-2. This study is part of an ongoing doctoral project evaluating the Gaining Autonomy & Medication Management (GAM)3 strategy as an educational intervention to improve mental health literacy among adolescents receiving psychosocial care.
METHODS:
First, the Mental Health Literacy Scale4 will be translated, culturally adapted, and psychometrically validated for Brazilian Portuguese following Beaton5 and collaborators methodology for cross-cultural adaptation of instruments and the COSMIN Study Design checklist6. Second, a pre- and post-intervention study will be conducted with adolescents receiving care in CAPSi in Recife, Brazil. Participants will be interviewed and complete the Brazilian version of the Mental Health Literacy Scale before and after participating in group sessions using the Brazilian version of the GAM strategy. Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics comparing pre- and post-intervention results and sociodemographic variables. Qualitative data from the interviews will be analyzed through thematic content analysis.
RESULTS:
The Brazilian adaptation of the Mental Health Literacy Scale has been translated and evaluated by a panel of experts. In this initial evaluation, only one item on the scale received a score below 0.78 on the item-level Content Validity Index7 and was subsequently revised in accordance with expert recommendations.
CONCLUSIONS:
The Brazilian Portuguese version of the Mental Health Literacy Scale is expected to demonstrate adequate validity and reliability for use with adolescents. After the intervention, participants are expected to show improved mental health literacy, particularly regarding knowledge of mental disorders, treatment options, and available support services.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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