Strategies in Developing Mental Health Literacy Tools: An Integrative Review.

Abstract

Purpose: Health misinformation on social media disproportionately impacts individuals with mental illness, increasing health care avoidance and stigma. The current integrative review aimed to identify effective, evidence-based interventions to improve mental health literacy and counter misinformation in clinical settings.

Method: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL was conducted using terms related to health literacy, mental illness, and patient education. Inclusion criteria focused on adult populations and articles published from 2015 to 2025. Thirteen studies were included and appraised using the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practices Evidence Rating Scale.

Results: Key components of effective interventions included audiovisual education tools, integration into routine appointments, and use of health literacy assessments. Most studies reported improvements in health literacy, anxiety, and depression. However, heterogeneity in tools and lack of theoretical frameworks limited generalizability.

Conclusion: Brief, accessible audiovisual interventions embedded in standard care improve patient understanding and emotional outcomes. Future research should focus on theory-based design, validated tools, and mental health-specific outcomes.