Strengthening mental health literacy at the grassroots: A community-based study from Devanahalli taluk of Karnataka
B. Ramakrishna Goud, G.V Aishwarya, Johnson-Pradeep Ruben, Supriya Shivashankar, Rajani Parthasarathy, G.A Srinivasa, Girish Kumar, K Srinivasan, Pulkit Verma, Neha Dahiya, Ashoo Grover
A
BSTRACT
Background:
Mental health literacy remains limited in rural communities in India, contributing to stigma, delayed help-seeking, and the treatment gap. Culturally appropriate community-based interventions may improve mental health knowledge, attitudes, and help-seeking. This study evaluated the acceptability and perceived effectiveness of a Community Awareness Program on Mental Health (CAP-MH) in Devanahalli taluk, Bengaluru Rural District, Karnataka.
Methods:
A postintervention mixed-methods study was conducted among 500 adults who participated in CAP-MH sessions between March and June 2025. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests, while qualitative responses underwent content analysis to identify participants’ experiences, perceived benefits, and recommendations.
Results:
Participants reported high agreement across program domains and perceived improvements in mental health knowledge and understanding. Positive changes in attitudes toward people with mental health conditions and greater willingness to seek professional help were reported (
Conclusion:
CAP-MH was highly acceptable and perceived as beneficial for strengthening mental health literacy, reducing stigma, and promoting help-seeking among community members. Culturally grounded, participatory approaches may effectively strengthen community mental health promotion in rural settings. Future controlled and longitudinal studies should assess sustained knowledge, behavioral change, and service utilization.