Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Michael Dunn

Abstract

Canadian youth pursuing postsecondary education are facing a major mental health crisis. There are substantial gaps between the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a web-based mental health educational intervention was an effective tool with which to increase mental health awareness and help-seeking behaviors of university students. The theory of planned behavior, the help-seeking model, and the technology acceptance model were the theories that guided this study. Using a quantitative quasi-experimental research design, data were collected from 329 undergraduate students in the Faculty of Health Sciences at a university in Eastern Ontario. The attitude, perception, and knowledge about mental health were measured before and after an online mental health educational module (Mindsight) using the Attitudes to Mental Illness Questionnaire (AMIQ), Help Seeking Attitudes Scale (HSAS), and Knowledge Test (KT). The paired t test and one-way ANOVA were used to examine the effects of the Mindsight on pre/post survey AMIQ, HSAS, and KT scores. The results indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in the mental health attitude and knowledge of students after completing a web-based mental health educational module; however, there was a statistically significant difference in the mental health perception of students. Positive social change may be accomplished through the implementation of strategies aimed at improving the mental health awareness and increasing the help-seeking behaviors of university students. Students who have good mental health are more likely to do well academically and become productive members of their communities and society.

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