Objective To explore the teaching efficacy of case-based learning method in psychological health education. Methods From March 2015 to June 2018, a total of 413 students, from 17 specialities of Shandong University, were randomly divided into study group with case-based learning method and control group without case-based learning method for psychological health education. They were assessed by a self-designed questionnaire for teaching efficacy. Results There were statistically significant differences between the experimental group and the control group in the necessity of courses 55.3% (115/208) vs 39.5% (81/205), the understanding of mental health 60.1% (125/208) vs 38.5% (79/205), and the degree of application of knowledge 56.7% (118/208) vs 40% (82/205) (all P<0.05). Conclusions The case-based learning improves students' understanding and acceptance of mental health knowledge, and improves students' enthusiasm for learning mental health knowledge.