Does Mental Health Literacy Predict Help-
Seeking Behaviors Among Depressed Asian
International Students?
Da Hwin Kim
Emma C. McWhorter
Linda G. Castillo
Department of Educational Psychology, Texas A&M University, USA
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to examine whether Asian international students’ mental health
literacy predicts mental health help-seeking behaviors above and beyond known
influencing factors. Hierarchical logistic regression was conducted in analyzing
a national sample of 460 Asian international students who reported depressive
symptomatology. Results indicated that students who identified as female and
experienced more days of academic impairment were more likely to seek
counseling. Additionally, having more knowledge on mental disorders and
treatments and campus mental health services were positively related to helpseeking
behavior. However, the ability to recognize the development of mental
disorders in others was negatively associated with seeking mental health help.
Implications for administrators, college program planners, and mental health
providers are discussed.
Keywords: Asian, college students, help-seeking, international students, mental
health literacy