Background of the study: Mental health is a positive state in which one is responsible for self-awareness, self-directive, reasonable worry free and can cope with usual daily tensions. Such individual’s functions well in society are accepted within a group and are generally satisfied with their lives. Mental illness has to be found common, over a third of people in most countries reporting sufficient criteria at some point of their life. So, the study was conducted on to assess the level of knowledge and attitude regarding mental illness among general public at Molapakkam village, Puducherry. Aim: The study objectives was to assess the assess the level of knowledge and attitude, correlate the level of knowledge and attitude regarding mental illness among general public and associate the level of knowledge and attitude regarding mental illness among general public with the selected demographic variables. Materials and methods: A descriptive study was conducted among 200 samples of general public of Molapakkam village. The samples were selected on the basis of purposive sampling technique. The knowledge was assessed through 20 self structured questionnaires and attitude was assessed self structured five point likert scale. Result: The study result shows that out of 200 samples, 14.5% had inadequate knowledge, 35.5% had moderately adequate knowledge and 50% had adequate knowledge regarding mental illness. While analyzing the attitude, 4% had negative attitude, 36.5% had neutral attitude and 59.5% had positive attitude regarding mental illness. Hence, overall 50% of general public were at the level of inadequate and moderate knowledge and 40% of the general public were at the level of negative and neutral attitude. Thus, this study result clearly indicates that there is a great need in creating awareness on mental illness among general public and by that, it will erase the fallacy from their minds
