Abstract
Mental Health Literacy (MHL) refers to the knowledge and beliefs about mental health that
support recognition, management, and prevention of mental disorders. Among healthcare
professionals, MHL is especially important as they not only manage patients’ health but also face
personal psychological challenges that may affect their awareness and willingness to seek help.
This study aims to examine psychological factors influencing MHL, with a focus on stigma,
help-seeking behavior, and sense of coherence (SOC) among healthcare professionals in
Pakistan. A sample of 300 doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers with at least one year
of clinical experience will be selected through purposive sampling. Standardized tools, including
the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS), General Help-Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ), Self-
Stigma of Seeking Help Scale (SSOSH), and Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-13), will be
administered. Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and
multiple regression. The study is expected to highlight the role of stigma, help-seeking
tendencies, and SOC in shaping MHL levels. Findings may provide valuable insights for
developing culturally relevant interventions, awareness programs, and policies to improve mental
health literacy among healthcare professionals in Pakistan.