Mental health literacy among family nurses in Poland: a cross-sectional study

More than a billion people worldwide suffer from mental health disorders, and primary health care (PHC) is critical for early recognition and treatment of these medical conditions. Family nurses (FNs), as the patient's first point of contact with the healthcare system, are considered to play an important role in identifying mental health disorders. Mental health literacy (MHL) refers to the knowledge and beliefs that help with the recognition, treatment and prevention of mental disorders; yet, little is known about the level of MHL among family nurses in Poland. The aim of this study was to assess the level of MHL among family nurses in Poland and to identify sociodemographic and occupational factors that are independently linked with it.

From February to May 2026, a total of 207 family nurses participated in a cross-sectional study that utilized the CAWI method and regionally stratified sampling of primary health care facilities. The Polish version of the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS-PL) and the authors' original questionnaire on sociodemographic and occupational variables were employed.

The median normalized total score for MHLS-PL was 70.43%. The Knowledge of risk factors and causes and Knowledge of professional help available subscales had the lowest normalized scores (66.67% each), while the Recognition of disorders and Knowledge of how to seek mental health information subscales had the highest normalized scores (75% each). Factors independently associated with the total MHLS-PL score were: younger age, urban residence, having a family member or acquaintance with a mental disorder, and professional interaction with individuals with mental disorders. Analyses of individual subscales additionally identified educational level (master's degree or higher), shorter length of service, and personal mental health diagnosis as significant correlates for specific knowledge and attitude dimensions.

The level of MHL among Polish nurses varied across subscales, with the most knowledge gaps being in the understanding of risk factors and the etiology of mental diseases. The negative relationship between age, length of service and MHL suggests potential target groups for future educational interventions, particularly experienced nurses and those in rural areas, which should be evaluated in subsequent research. The study results provide initial insights that can inform the planning of educational interventions and health policies, although further research is needed to evaluate their effectiveness and to address organizational and system-level factors that may influence the translation of MHL into clinical practice.