Introduction:

Study focuses on the knowledge of literacy and positive mental health, in secondary school youth.

Objectives:

Identify the vulnerabitity and protective and vulnerability of secondary school students on the Island of Madeira.

Methodology:

Quantitative, descriptive research. A pilot study conducted on the island of Madeira, with secondary school students (n=1948), aged between 15-18 years, with the informed consent of the participants and parents. Data collection: "Literacy and Positive Mental Health Questionnaire", version Secondary School Students (QSM+VEESec) (Ribeiro, Sequeira, Ferreira, Carvalho and Pires, 2018). Online application between March/June 2021.

Results:

The results show relevance between vulnerability and protective factors in mental health. It was found that 9.9% of the students reported having some mental health problems 9.3% resorted to some health service due to mental health problem; 9.3% resorted to some health service due to mental health problem; 29.7% reported having had or had some psychiatric follow-up. Of the vulnerability factors, the following stand out: 42.4% are not satisfied with their sleep; 46.1% consider not getting enough sleep for their needs; 4.5% and 4.8%, respectively, take regular medication for sleep and for some mental health problem; 48.6% do not practice regular physical exercise. Of the possible protective factors, it is verified that they present weak indicators, namely: 78.2% do not participate in recreational activities; 43.7% are not satisfied with their affective relationship and consume substances (alcoholic beverages: 26.4% and drugs more than three times a week 3.4%).

Conclusion:

Young people have mental health problems: anxiety and depression, alcohol consumption and illicit substances. The lack of social interaction, the absence of participation in recreational activities and dissatisfaction in affective relationships stand out.

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