The mental health related stigma and discrimination have caused various health problems in persons with mental illness, such as inhibiting persons’ health seeking behavior, harmful coping strategies, poor treatment and quality of life. The mental health related stigma is common among adolescent and youth students, which may also impact their attitude and discrimination towards persons with mental illness.

Adolescent and youth students may have high level of mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, internet addiction, and suicidal behaviors. Adolescent and youth students with different level of mental health related stigma may have various mental health status. However, it is still unknown about the relationship between mental health related stigma and mental health status (e.g., depression, anxiety, internet addiction, suicidal behavior, etc.) among adolescent and youth students, especially in various cultural contexts. It is unclear about the anti-stigma interventions for reducing mental health related stigma and improving mental health status of adolescent and youth students.

The goal of this Research Topic is mainly to 1) investigate the mental health related stigma and mental health status, especially depression, anxiety, internet addiction, suicidal behavior among adolescent and youth students, 2) identify the relationship between mental health related stigma and mental health status, and 3) explore effective and affordable interventions and strategies to reduce mental health related stigma in adolescent and youth students. We welcome Original Research and Reviews including (but not limited to) the following topics:

- The stigmatization and discrimination against adolescent and youth students with mental health problems (e.g., depression, anxiety, internet addiction, or suicidal behavior) in various cultural contexts.

- The relationship between mental health related stigma and mental health status, and the influence of mental health related stigma on mental health status of adolescent and youth students.

- The influence of age and ethnic groups on mental health related stigma and mental health status among adolescent and youth students.

- Evidence-based anti-stigma interventions, especially online interventions, and other psychosocial interventions, for reducing mental health related stigma in adolescent and youth students.

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Mental health related stigma and mental health status in adolescent and youth in various cultural contexts