Conceptualisation and operationalisation of mental health literacy: An umbrella review

Mental health literacy (MHL) is increasingly recognised as a key component of public mental health promotion. While widely cited definitions focus on recognising and managing mental disorders, recent perspectives call for broader, more holistic frameworks that also address positive mental health. However, conceptual and measurement inconsistencies persist, highlighting the need for a clearer understanding of how MHL is defined and applied across disciplines.

This umbrella review synthesised 40 systematic and scoping reviews (2000-2024) to explore how MHL is conceptualised and operationalised across disciplines. Following a registered PROSPERO protocol, the review applied rigorous methods across five databases and assessed quality using the JBI Checklist.

Most studies relied on a common definition by Jorm and colleagues, focusing on knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders. More recent frameworks, such as that proposed by Kutcher and colleagues, adopt a broader, salutogenic view, emphasising positive mental health, stigma reduction and help-seeking efficacy. Thirty-three MHL measures were identified, with most tools prioritising disorder-related literacy over wellbeing-focused components. The most common way the reviews operationalised MHL was by exploring it as an outcome variable in intervention studies.

The review highlights the need for more comprehensive and context-sensitive MHL frameworks and tools that align with contemporary mental health promotion strategies. It underscores the importance of integrating both pathogenic and salutogenic perspectives to support mental wellbeing across diverse populations and settings. Future research should prioritise refining theoretical models, improving measurement tools and exploring implementation strategies that reflect the multifaceted nature of MHL.