Evaluation of a mental health promotion workbook for increasing knowledge and encouraging behavior changes

The need to develop resources that promote mental health was more vital for preventing anxiety and depression and maintaining mental healthcare services during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to develop a mental health promotion workbook and confirm its feasibility.

An online-based post-only assessment design trial of the workbook was conducted in December 2021. A total of 381 Japanese participants took part in the study. Data regarding how the participants perceived the message relevance of the workbook were assessed. In total, 54.9% of participants recognized the relevance of the workbook message.

Female (adjusted OR odds ratio [OR] = 1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03-2.59), participants with a higher disposable income (adjusted OR = 2.12, 95%CI = 1.35-3.34), and those who practiced mental health promotion behaviors (adjusted OR = 1.91, 95%CI = 1.20-3.02) most perceived the workbook message to be relevant. Favorably evaluated workbook content included knowledge of stress (53.6%) and patterns of leisure activities (48.3%). Manga-style information was favorably assessed by 20-29-year-olds. In addition, three assessment patterns of favorably evaluated content emerged: positive evaluations of all content, knowledge of stress content, and content related to behavior changes.

The mental health promotion workbook developed in this study may contribute to increasing individuals' knowledge and interest in mental health following the COVID-19 period.