Advisers

Jolly A. Miguel, EdD

Discipline

Psychology

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between mental health literacy and help-seeking behavior among psychology students at Bestlink College of the Philippines. It focuses on how students’ knowledge of mental health affects their willingness to seek professional or informal support. Research shows that mental health literacy plays a key role in early intervention, stigma reduction, and improved help-seeking. However, factors such as self-stigma, fear of judgment, and limited resources often discourage students from seeking help. Strengthening mental health education and awareness programs can promote a more supportive academic environment and encourage timely help-seeking. This study used a descriptive-correlational design to examine the relationship between mental health literacy and help-seeking behavior among 200 psychology students at Bestlink College of the Philippines (AY 2025–2026). Stratified random sampling was used to ensure equal participation. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires: the Demographic Profile, Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS), and General Help-Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ), with ethical considerations such as voluntary participation and confidentiality observed. Most respondents were young adults and predominantly female, with equal year-level representation. Students showed moderate mental health literacy, understanding basic concepts but struggling to distinguish stress from disorders. Although attitudes toward mental health and help-seeking were positive, emotional, financial, and structural barriers remained. A weak but significant positive correlation (rs =.21, p =.002) indicates that higher mental health literacy increases the likelihood of seeking help. Most respondents were aged 18–27 years, predominantly female, and evenly distributed across year levels. Students demonstrated moderate mental health literacy, with basic understanding but some difficulty identifying specific conditions. They recognized barriers to help-seeking, including discomfort and financial concerns, while expressing positive attitudes toward mental health services and awareness campaigns. A significant but weak positive correlation (rs = .21, p = .002) was found between mental health literacy and help-seeking behavior, indicating that greater literacy was associated with a higher likelihood of seeking professional help.

Keywords

psychology students, Help-Seeking Behavior, mental health literacy, professional support