Adolescents’ Mental Health Action Competencies: Preliminary Findings of a Methodological Study

Background

Promoting adolescence psychological wellbeing is vital for ensuring long-term health. This study aims to assess mental health action competencies among adolescents and examine their relationship with selected sociodemographic and mental health-related variables.

Methods

We used the descriptive data of a methodological study. Data collected between March and April, 2026, from 375 students studying at the high school level in Istanbul. Sociodemographic form and the self-assessment scale of basic mental health action competencies (Basic-MAC) are used for data collection. Data analyzed with statistical package programs IBM SPSS (v22) and Jamovi (v2.5.3).

Results

The mean age of the participants was 15.4 (SD = 0.88), with 64.5% being female. The mean scores for the Basic-MAC subscales ranged from 3.13 to 3.69. The analysis revealed that no significant differences between age, presence of chronic disease, and the mean Basic-MAC scores (p > 0.05). A significant gender difference was found in the mean scores for the Knowledge, Self-care, and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) dimensions, with female participants scoring significantly higher than male participants (p < 0.001). Participants who had previously received mental health support reported significantly higher mean scores in the Knowledge and MHFA dimensions compared to those who had not (p < 0.05). Additionally, participants whose family members or friends had received mental health support demonstrated significantly higher mean scores in the Knowledge and Interpersonal Relationships subscales compared to those without such social exposure (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Mental health action competencies among adolescents are significantly influenced by gender, personal experience with mental health support, and social environment. Public health professionals should prioritize school-based mental health programs that move beyond theoretical knowledge and encourage adolescents to apply their acquired knowledge in practice.

Key messages

• Gender and prior experiences with mental health significantly influence adolescents’ action competencies, highlighting the need for tailored school-based mental health promotion programs.

• Low scores in interpersonal relationships suggest that social stigma remains a barrier, requiring interventions that move beyond theory to foster active engagement and peer support.