Integrating and Disseminating Mental Health Literacy In Undergraduate and Post-Secondary Education

By: Dr. David Cawthorpe, USA, Dr. Yifeng Wei, Canada, and Dr. Andrew Baxter, Canada

Dr. David Cawthorpe (University of Calgary) interviews Dr. Yifeng Wei and Dr. Andrew Baxter (University of Alberta) about mental health literacy in undergraduate and post-secondary education

Working with MentalHealthLiteracy.org since 2008, Dr. Yifeng Wei has led numerous national and international projects to improve mental health knowledge among students, educators, and communities. Her research examines how schools can become effective environments for promoting mental health, reducing stigma, encouraging help-seeking, and improving early identification of mental disorders. Dr. Andrew Baxter has played a crucial role in implementing mental health literacy initiatives within educational systems. His research has demonstrated that mental health literacy training for educators can improve both the quantity and quality of referrals to child and adolescent mental health services, helping young people access appropriate care sooner and more effectively. Their work represents one of the most influential efforts to bridge the traditional gap between education and mental health care. Rather than waiting for mental disorders to become severe before intervention occurs, mental health literacy seeks to equip young people, families, educators, and communities with the knowledge and skills needed to promote mental wellness, recognize problems early, reduce stigma, and connect individuals with appropriate support. For the webinar audience, Dr. Yifeng Wei and Dr. Andrew Baxter illustrate how rigorous science, educational innovation, and public engagement can be combined to create measurable improvements in mental health understanding and access to care across populations.