This study aims to assess the level of mental health literacy (MHL) and identify its associated factors among undergraduate university students in Lebanon. A secondary objective is to evaluate the Global Barriers to Counselling scores, their associated factors, and to examine their relationship with MHL.

Cross-sectional study using an online self-administered questionnaire.

University-level educational settings in Lebanon, including students from both public and private institutions across multiple regions.

This study enrolled undergraduate students of all academic disciplines using a convenience sampling technique. Inclusion criteria included being 18 years and above, currently enrolled at university, able to comprehend the English language and consenting to participate.

Primary outcomes: MHL scores, using the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS); and Global Barriers to Counselling score, using the Revised Fit, Stigma and Value Scale (RFSV). Secondary analysis examined factors associated with MHLS score and Global Barriers to Counselling scores using multivariable linear regression.

A total of 572 participants (65.0% female; mean age 21.1±3.7 years) were included. Most were Lebanese (87.4%). The median MHLS score was 86 (IQR 77–95), indicating generally good MHL. Factors associated with lower MHLS were male gender (β=–4.17, 95% CI –7.18 to –1.16, p=0.007) and being of non-Lebanese nationality (β=–6.26, 95% CI –11.06 to –1.46, p=0.011). Presence of a previous mental health diagnosis was associated with a higher MHLS score (β=5.32, 95% CI 1.43 to 9.22, p=0.008). The Global Barriers to Counselling score had a median of 28.7 (IQR 23.21–36.21). Male gender was significantly associated with a higher barrier score (β=3.44, 95% CI 4.85 to 5.04, p

This study highlights good overall MHL among undergraduate university students in Lebanon, with variations based on gender, nationality and prior mental health exposure. Higher mental health literacy was associated with fewer perceived barriers to seeking counselling. These findings emphasise the need for tailored mental health initiatives in Lebanese universities that promote literacy, reduce stigma and enhance help-seeking behaviour across diverse student populations.

Intensive care units (ICUs) manage patients with or likely to have one or more life-threatening acute organ failures that might require the use of invasive supportive therapies. The use of physical restraint is frequent, with rates up to 50%, and usually initiated to maintain patient safety especially if the patient is agitated. Physical restraints have been associated with delirium, post-traumatic stress disorder and physical injuries while restricting patients’ individual freedom. Moreover, the incidence of invasive therapeutic devices’ self-removal by patients might not be decreased by physical restraint use. No recommendation is available concerning ICU patients and physical restraint management, despite being a daily practice. The main objective is to evaluate whether a strategy aimed at decreasing physical restraint use in ICU patients with that of a strategy based on routine and subjective caregivers’ decision is safe and efficient.

ARBORea is a multicentre randomised, stepped-wedge trial testing an innovative, dedicated web-based, multiprofessionally developed, experts validated, nursing management strategy in comparison with standard care. The primary outcome is physical restraint use rate (effectiveness) measured at least every 8 hours and incidents’ rate (tolerance) defined as the rate of incidents attributable to non-compliance, corresponding to the deterioration or self-removal of critical devices, a fall or self-aggressive or heteroaggressive behaviours. Planned enrolment is 4000 ICU adult participants at 20 French academic and non-academic centres. Safety and long-term outcomes will be evaluated.

Trial results will be reported according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials 2010 guidelines. Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at local, national and international meetings and conferences to publicise and explain the research to clinicians, commissioners and service users. The trial is funded by the French Ministry of Health and has been approved by the French local ethics committee (Comité de Protection des Personnes Sud-Ouest et Outre-Mer 2, Toulouse, France with registration number: 2020-A02904-35).

(ClinicalTrials.gov) NCT04957238 on 12 July 2021 before first inclusion in study.