Background

Mental health literacy (MHL) has been relatively neglected, despite the increase of mental health illnesses worldwide, as well as within the Middle East region. A low level of MHL may hinder public acceptance of evidence-based mental health care.

Aim

This systematic review aims to identify and appraise existing research, focusing on MHL among adults in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Methods

A systematic search of electronic databases (PubMed, PsychInfo, and Medline) was carried out from database inception to July 2019, in order to identify peer-reviewed journal articles that investigated MHL in the GCC countries. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they were: cross-sectional studies, reported in English, targeted adults (aged 18 and above), conducted in any of the GCC countries, include at least one outcome measure of the main components of MHL: knowledge of mental illnesses and their treatment, stigmatizing attitudes towards mental illnesses, and seeking help for self and offering help.

Results

A total of 27 studies (16,391 participants) were included. The outcome across studies varied due to disparity in the tested populations. Findings show that limited MHL was observed among participants, even health care professionals. Results also show a high cumulative level of stigma and negative attitude towards mental health illness in the public. Negative beliefs and inappropriate practices are common, as well. The majority of studies yielded a moderate to high risk of bias.

Conclusion

This work indicates that research on MHL must be tackled through well-designed large-scale studies of the public. Campaigns to promote early identification and treatment of mental illness is also encouraged to improve overall level of MHL in the general population of the GCC region.

Registration number: PROSPERO 2018 CRD42018104492.

中文翻译：

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海湾合作委员会阿拉伯国家的心理健康素养：系统回顾

背景

尽管全世界以及中东地区的精神卫生疾病有所增加，但精神卫生素养（MHL）仍然被相对忽视。低水平的MHL可能会阻碍公众接受基于证据的精神卫生保健。

目标

这项系统的审查旨在确定和评估现有研究，重点是海湾合作委员会（GCC）国家成年人的MHL。

方法

从数据库开始到2019年7月，对电子数据库（PubMed，PsychInfo和Medline）进行了系统的搜索，目的是确定对GCC国家中的MHL进行调查的同行评审期刊文章。如果符合以下条件，则可以纳入研究：在任何海湾合作委员会国家进行的横断面研究（以英语报道），针对的成年人（18岁及以上），至少包括一项关于MHL主要组成部分的结果指标：精神疾病及其治疗，对精神疾病的污名化，寻求自我帮助和提供帮助。

结果

总共包括27个研究（16,391名参与者）。由于受测人群之间的差异，各个研究的结果有所不同。研究结果表明，参与者，甚至卫生保健专业人员中仅观察到有限的MHL。结果还显示，公众对精神健康疾病的污名和负面态度的累积水平很高。负面的信念和不适当的做法也很普遍。大多数研究产生了中度到高度偏见的风险。

结论

这项工作表明，关于MHL的研究必须通过精心设计的大规模公众研究来解决。还鼓励开展促进及早发现和治疗精神疾病的运动，以提高海湾合作委员会地区普通民众的MHL总体水平。

注册编号：PROSPERO 2018 CRD42018104492。