Analysis of a Mental Health Literacy Curriculum and Self-Care Resource Database as a Path to Reducing Stigma in Young Adult Population

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is defined as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community” (World Health Organization 2018). A human being is not a human being without considering both their physical and mental health. Society has bred a stigma encompassing mental illness, prompting numerous individuals to feel as though a conversation about psychological well-being is unusual or unorthodox. The COVID-19 pandemic has witnessed an escalation in mental illness especially in the young adult population (ages 11-24), as a result of social isolation and decreased faceto- face connection with others. The adolescent and young adult population is vulnerable to mental health issues and is being cultivated in a society where conversations are not held. This study will evaluate the implementation of mental health literacy curriculums into several school systems, as mental health promotion should be mainstreamed to mitigate the potential growth of stigma in the future.