Abstract:Background & Rationale Mental health issues among late adolescents in Malaysia have emerged as a growing public health concern, particularly during the transitional pre-university period. Despite increasing awareness of adolescent mental health, mental health literacy (MHL) in this age group remains poorly understood. Many students are unable to recognize symptoms, access reliable information, or navigate appropriate help-seeking pathways. There is a clear need for context-specific research that considers not only individual knowledge but also cultural attitudes, behavioural norms, and environmental influences shaping MHL. This study draws on Social Cognitive Theory to address these gaps and contribute to evidence-informed mental health promotion among youth in low- and middle-income settings. Objectives Assess the level of MHL among pre-university students aged 18 19 in Negeri Sembilan. Identify key personal, behavioural, and environmental determinants of MHL. Explore students’ lived experiences and help-seeking perceptions. Provide locally relevant insights to inform institution- and community-based interventions. Methods A convergent mixed methods design will be employed. The quantitative arm will consist of a cross-sectional survey involving 350 students using validated tools measuring MHL, self-efficacy, health literacy, social support, and cultural beliefs. In parallel, 10 15 students will be purposively selected for in-depth interviews to examine contextual influences on mental health understanding and help-seeking behaviour. Quantitative data will be analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (SPSS), while qualitative data will undergo thematic analysis (NVivo). Ethical approval is currently being sought from Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Human Research Ethics Committee. Expected Outcomes / Significance Findings will offer a comprehensive understanding of the multifactorial influences on adolescent MHL, supporting the development of culturally sensitive, equity-oriented interventions in line with global mental health priorities. Status of Study Planned (ethics submission in progress). Acknowledgement This study is supported by a research grant from the Department of Community Health, Universiti Putra Malaysia (Grant No. 6302026-14001).
Keywords: Mental Health, Mental Health Literacy; Adolescent Health; Help-Seeking Behavior; Mixed Methods; Malaysia
