Learning Objective #1: know the relationship of mental health and psychological self-care of nursing student.

Learning Objective #2: keep concern and aware in developing mental health promotion and protection program for helping nursing students.

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The purpose of this research was to investigate the mental health and psychological self-care and to examine the relationship between mental health and psychological self-care among undergraduate nursing students of Walailak University in the academic year 2006. One hundred and eighteen subjects participated in this study. Two questionnaires were used: the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ 28) developed by Goldberg (1972) and translated into Thai by Nilchaikovit, Sukying and Silpakit (1996), and the Psychological Self-care Scale developed by Yunibhand (1991). The results showed that most nursing students had a mean mental health score in the normal range. Those found at highest risk of having mental health problems were the third year nursing students. A majority of participants reported high and moderate levels of psychological self-care, although mental health and psychological self-care were non-significantly correlated (p < .05). This study has important implications for all nursing educators, as the findings can assist them in designing effective systems to promote, maintain and improve good mental health and psychological self-care behavior in nursing students.