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