Mental Health Literacy Among Senior Secondary Students in Gombe State, North East Nigeria

Mental health literacy, defined as knowledge and understanding of mental health conditions that aids recognition, management, and prevention, is a foundational element of adolescent mental wellness. This study assesses mental health literacy among senior secondary school students in Gombe State, North East Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design will recruit 310 students from eight public and private secondary schools across Gombe metropolis and two peri-urban areas using stratified random sampling. A validated adaptation of the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS) for Nigerian adolescents will be used. Sociodemographic variables including gender, class level, parental education, religion, and prior mental health training will be explored as predictors. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and multivariate regression will be employed. Existing literature indicates that mental health literacy remains low among Nigerian secondary school students, particularly in North East Nigeria where post-conflict trauma has heightened mental health needs but reduced service availability. Findings will guide the development of school-based mental health education programs and inform state education policy in Gombe. Keywords: mental health literacy, adolescents, secondary school, Gombe State, North East Nigeria