Mental Health Literacy and Attitudes Towards Mental Health Problems Among College Students, Nepal

(1) Background: Research on mental health literacy (MHL) and attitudes toward mental health problems (ATMHP) among non-medical college students in Nepal is limited. This study examined the relationship between MHL and ATMHP, considering demographic variables and familiarity with mental health issues; (2) Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey with 385 college students from Chitwan and Kathmandu, Nepal, using opportunity sampling. Descriptive and inferential statistics examined demographic differences, while Pearson's correlation assessed relationships among latent variables; (3) Results: No relationship was found between MHL and ATMHP (r = -0.01, p = 0.92). Females had greater awareness of stereotypes (p = 0.025, g = 0.24). Hotel management students showed better self-help strategies (p = 0.036, d = 0.46). Public college students scored higher in self-help strategies than government (p = 0.036, d = -0.32) and private college students (p = 0.02, d = -0.32). Non-employed students outperformed employed ones in self-help strategies (p = 0.002, g = -0.46). Other demographic factors showed no significant relationships; (4) Conclusions: MHL and ATMHP were unrelated, indicating that increasing MHL alone may not improve attitudes. Multidimensional interventions combining education and experiential learning are needed. Certain demographic factors influenced stereotypes and self-help strategies, while others showed no significant impact.