Key Personnel:
Christine S. Epps, B.S.
Mary Armstrong, Ph.D.
Christine S. Davis, Ph.D.
Oliver T. Massey, Ph.D.
Roxann McNeish, M.S.W., M.P.H.
Richard B. Smith, Ph.D.
Development and Testing of an Instrument to Measure Mental Health Literacy
Publication Date: 6/1/2007
Description:
The conceptual model of mental health literacy is defined as the ability to use messages to create meanings in such a way as they result in behaviors helpful to a mental healthcare consumer's mental health and well being. The ability to measure caregiver's or provider's mental health literacy has the potential benefits of improving health care, lowering costs, increasing empowerment, and improving communication. Measurement can focus the identification of strengths and weaknesses and focus the development of training, awareness and communication tools. Currently, there is no measure of mental health literacy for caregivers of children with severe emotional disturbances (SED).
