Self-Injury, Help-Seeking, and the Internet

Crisis ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mareka Frost ◽  
Leanne Casey ◽  
Natalie Rando
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Delivery Method ◽  
Online Services ◽  
Online Help ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
History Of ◽  
Seeking Help

Abstract. Background: Although increasing numbers of young people are seeking help online for self-injury, relatively little is known about their online help-seeking preferences. Aims: To investigate the perspectives of young people who self-injure regarding online services, with the aim of informing online service delivery. Method: A mixed-methods exploratory analysis regarding the perspectives of a subsample of young people who reported a history of self-injury and responded to questions regarding preferences for future online help-seeking (N = 457). The sample was identified as part of a larger study (N = 1,463) exploring self-injury and help-seeking. Results: Seven themes emerged in relation to preferences for future online help-seeking: information, guidance, reduced isolation, online culture, facilitation of help-seeking, access, and privacy. Direct contact with a professional via instant messaging was the most highly endorsed form of online support. Conclusion: Young people expressed clear preferences regarding online services for self-injury, supporting the importance of consumer consultation in development of online services.

scholarly journals Young People’s Online Help-Seeking and Mental Health Difficulties: Systematic Narrative Review (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudette Pretorius ◽  
Derek Chambers ◽  
David Coyle
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Online Resources ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Help ◽  
Self Reliance ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties

BACKGROUND Young people frequently make use of the internet as part of their day-to-day activities, and this has extended to their help-seeking behavior. Offline help-seeking is known to be impeded by a number of barriers including stigma and a preference for self-reliance. Online help-seeking may offer an additional domain where young people can seek help for mental health difficulties without being encumbered by these same barriers. OBJECTIVE The objective of this systematic literature review was to examine young peoples’ online help-seeking behaviors for mental health concerns. It aimed to summarize young peoples’ experiences and identify benefits and limitations of online help-seeking for this age group. It also examined the theoretical perspectives that have been applied to understand online help-seeking. METHODS A systematic review of peer-reviewed research papers from the following major electronic databases was conducted: PsycINFO, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Association for Computing Machinery Digital Library, and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Xplore. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. The search was conducted in August 2017. The narrative synthesis approach to reviews was used to analyze the existing evidence to answer the review questions. RESULTS Overall, 28 studies were included. The most common method of data collection was through the use of surveys. Study quality was moderate to strong. Text-based query via an internet search engine was the most commonly identified help-seeking approach. Social media, government or charity websites, live chat, instant messaging, and online communities were also used. Key benefits included anonymity and privacy, immediacy, ease of access, inclusivity, the ability to connect with others and share experiences, and a greater sense of control over the help-seeking journey. Online help-seeking has the potential to meet the needs of those with a preference for self-reliance or act as a gateway to further help-seeking. Barriers to help-seeking included a lack of mental health literacy, concerns about privacy and confidentiality, and uncertainty about the trustworthiness of online resources. Until now, there has been limited development and use of theoretical models to guide research on online help-seeking. CONCLUSIONS Approaches to improving help-seeking by young people should consider the role of the internet and online resources as an adjunct to offline help-seeking. This review identifies opportunities and challenges in this space. It highlights the limited use of theoretical frameworks to help conceptualize online help-seeking. <italic>Self-determination theory</italic> and the <italic>help-seeking model</italic> provide promising starting points for the development of online help-seeking theories. This review discusses the use of these theories to conceptualize online help-seeking and identify key motivations and tensions that may arise when young people seek help online.

scholarly journals Young People’s Online Help-Seeking and Mental Health Difficulties: Systematic Narrative Review

10.2196/13873 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. e13873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudette Pretorius ◽  
Derek Chambers ◽  
David Coyle
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Online Resources ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Help ◽  
Self Reliance ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties

Background Young people frequently make use of the internet as part of their day-to-day activities, and this has extended to their help-seeking behavior. Offline help-seeking is known to be impeded by a number of barriers including stigma and a preference for self-reliance. Online help-seeking may offer an additional domain where young people can seek help for mental health difficulties without being encumbered by these same barriers. Objective The objective of this systematic literature review was to examine young peoples’ online help-seeking behaviors for mental health concerns. It aimed to summarize young peoples’ experiences and identify benefits and limitations of online help-seeking for this age group. It also examined the theoretical perspectives that have been applied to understand online help-seeking. Methods A systematic review of peer-reviewed research papers from the following major electronic databases was conducted: PsycINFO, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Association for Computing Machinery Digital Library, and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Xplore. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. The search was conducted in August 2017. The narrative synthesis approach to reviews was used to analyze the existing evidence to answer the review questions. Results Overall, 28 studies were included. The most common method of data collection was through the use of surveys. Study quality was moderate to strong. Text-based query via an internet search engine was the most commonly identified help-seeking approach. Social media, government or charity websites, live chat, instant messaging, and online communities were also used. Key benefits included anonymity and privacy, immediacy, ease of access, inclusivity, the ability to connect with others and share experiences, and a greater sense of control over the help-seeking journey. Online help-seeking has the potential to meet the needs of those with a preference for self-reliance or act as a gateway to further help-seeking. Barriers to help-seeking included a lack of mental health literacy, concerns about privacy and confidentiality, and uncertainty about the trustworthiness of online resources. Until now, there has been limited development and use of theoretical models to guide research on online help-seeking. Conclusions Approaches to improving help-seeking by young people should consider the role of the internet and online resources as an adjunct to offline help-seeking. This review identifies opportunities and challenges in this space. It highlights the limited use of theoretical frameworks to help conceptualize online help-seeking. Self-determination theory and the help-seeking model provide promising starting points for the development of online help-seeking theories. This review discusses the use of these theories to conceptualize online help-seeking and identify key motivations and tensions that may arise when young people seek help online.

scholarly journals Stigma associated with and attitude regarding mental health help-seeking among undergraduate nursing students in Karachi, Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salima Farooq ◽  
Yasmin Parpio ◽  
Saadia Sattar ◽  
Zahra Ali ◽  
Shirin Rahim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Undergraduate Nursing Students ◽  
Undergraduate Nursing ◽  
History Of ◽  
Seeking Help ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background Globally, the prevalence of mental illness amongst university students is a major concern; same is the case with nursing students. Unaddressed mental illness stigma contributes towards hiding of symptoms hampers timely identification of the disease, and leads to reluctance in attitude towards seeking help. This study determined personal and perceived depression stigma and attitude towards help-seeking behaviors and its associated factors, among undergraduate nursing students at a private nursing institution in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study by recruiting 246 first and second-Year undergraduate nursing students using consecutive sampling. Data were collected using the Depression Stigma Scale (DSS) and the Attitude toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale (ATSPPHS), along with a demographic questionnaire. Chi-square test, Fischer’s exact test and student T test were used to determine significance of difference of each response between first and second year students. Multiple linear regression was employed to determine predictors of DSS and ATSPPHS. Approval was obtained from the university’s Ethics Review Committee. Results The study findings revealed that the mean scores of the personal and perceived stigma scales were 29.7 ± 4.9 and 24.3 ± 6.1, respectively. The mean score of ATSPPHS was 16.5 ± 3.8. The participants reported a mean openness score of7.8 ± 2.6 and a value scale score of 8.7 ± 3.0. A history of psychiatric illness, current living arrangements, and personal depression stigma were found to be significant predictors of ATSPHHS. The year of study was a significant predictor of personal depression stigma whereas both years of study and the current living arrangements were significantly associated with perceived depression stigma. Conclusion Attitude towards seeking help for mental illness was significantly influenced by personal and perceived stigma. Moreover, previous history of psychiatric illness and living arrangements also predicted attitudes towards seeking help. In order to encourage positive attitudes towards seeking help for students’ well-being, it is essential to destigmatize mental health issues by adapting context-based, individualized, and group mental health interventions.

scholarly journals Online help-seeking prior to diagnosis: Can web-based resources reduce the duration of untreated mood disorders in young people?

2019 ◽  
Vol 252 ◽  
pp. 130-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna R. Van Meter ◽  
Michael L. Birnbaum ◽  
Asra Rizvi ◽  
John M. Kane
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Online Help ◽  
Web Based

eMental health service use among Australian youth: a cross-sectional survey framed by Andersen's model

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 891
Author(s):  
Teghan Leech ◽  
Diana S. Dorstyn ◽  
Wenjing Li
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Information Services ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Support ◽  
Online Help ◽  
Mental Health Information

ObjectiveYoung adults aged 18–24 years often delay or avoid seeking help for their mental health concerns. eMental health, the use of the Internet to deliver mental health information, services and care, offers a low-cost, easy-access option. However the factors that influence online help-seeking among this cohort remain unclear. MethodsAndersen’s healthcare utilisation model was adapted to examine correlates of eMental health use among Australian youth. In all, 161 young adults completed an online survey comprising sociodemographic questions, online feature preferences, the Actual and General Help-seeking Questionnaires, Berkman–Syme Social Network Index, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Service Obstacles Scale and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales. ResultsAlmost 70% of young people reported having previously accessed some form of online support for their personal or emotional problems. This included informal information via social media and formalised counselling services. Notably, perception of service satisfaction was low. Hierarchical logistical regression identified two significant predisposing factors to subsequent online help-seeking: prior face-to-face service use and living or cohabitating with others. ConclusionseMental health is accessed by young people in Australia, yet more needs to be done to better integrate this service model into the healthcare system. This includes training and education for consumers and professionals about existing, effective programs. What is known about this topic?eMental health platforms can bridge the gap between technology and conventional mental health care. Despite its rapidly expanding evidence base, the implementation of eMental health into the Australian healthcare system remains slow. More work needs to be done to elucidate the factors underlying preferences for online help-seeking. What does this paper add?Young adult perspectives on the delivery of mental health information, services and care via the Internet are examined in accordance with a major conceptual model, namely Andersen’s behavioural model of health services use. The majority of those surveyed reported having accessed some form of online support for an emotional issue, although dissatisfaction with the quality of this support was expressed. Andersen’s model can guide future research in this area and potentially help target eMental health initiatives to individual service users’ needs. What are the implications for practitioners?eMental health interventions offer an alternative for young adults who have difficulty accessing traditional mental health care services, but are also an adjunct to those experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of mental illness. Practitioners can introduce young adults to eMental health by discussing the benefits and limitations and by providing information about available and secure online programs delivered by trusted service providers.

scholarly journals Exploring the Processes Involved in Seeking Help from a General Practitioner for Young People Who Have Been at Risk of Suicide

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2120
Author(s):  
Jack Farr ◽  
Andrew D. R. Surtees ◽  
Hollie Richardson ◽  
Maria Michail
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Young Person ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Informal Support ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Seeking Help ◽  
Gp Training

General practitioners (GPs) play a key role in the early identification and management of suicide risk in young people. However, little is known about the processes involved in how, when and why a young person decides to seek help from their GP. Eight young people, aged 17–23, took part in semi-structured interviews exploring their experiences of help seeking when feeling suicidal. Data were analysed using framework analysis. The analysis identified three main themes and seven subthemes. The main themes explored were: understanding when to seek help from a GP, barriers and facilitating factors at the GP consultation, and help seeking as a non-linear and dynamic process. The processes involved in how, when and why young people seek help from a GP when feeling suicidal were found to be dynamic and to fluctuate over time. Help seeking was initially related to how young people were able to understand and articulate their distress, the availability of informal support networks, and their perception of the GP as a source of help. During a GP consultation, help seeking was influenced by how safe and supported the young people felt. Perceived GP training, communication and validation of young people’s concerns were important factors to help facilitate this process. Subsequent help seeking was influenced by prior experience of GP consultations and the availability of alternative support.

scholarly journals Help-seeking behavior of individuals with schizophrenia in the general population of Hunan, China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Ma ◽  
Qiongjuan Zheng ◽  
Yun Zhang ◽  
Chunyu Liu ◽  
Xuefei Tian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family History ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Hunan Province ◽  
Help Seeking Behavior ◽  
First Choice ◽  
Education Levels ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
History Of ◽  
Seeking Help

Abstract Purpose : This study aims to know the seeking help behavior (including seeking help or not, first choice, influential factors and barriers in seeking help) of individuals with SZ in Hunan province of China. Methods : The participants are from a larger epidemiological study of severe mental disorders in Hunan province of China. Self-made questionnaires were used to collect relative information. Results : 1) Of the 367 participants, 68.9% (253/367) sought help; of those, 64.6% (n=163) pursued professional psychiatric services and 30.8% (n=78) pursued non-medical options (i.e., relatives, praying to Buddha) as the most common first choices. 2) The help-seeking behavior ratio (seeking help individuals/total sample size) is significantly lower in the illiterate group than in other education levels. Those with a family history of mental disorders tend to have a higher help-seeking behavior ratio. And the first choice of help is largely related to education level. 3) Frequent reasons behind not seeking help include fear of stigmatization (72.9%), poor mental health literacy (64.5%), concerns over cost (50.6%), and limited access to medical services (47.0%). Conclusion : About one third of the individuals do not seek help. Individuals with SZ tend to choose psychiatric hospital and relatives as their first choice. A family history of mental disorders and higher education levels are meaningfully associated with help-seeking behavior, and individuals with more education tend to seek for professional help first. The primary reasons for not seeking help include fear of stigmatization, lack of awareness about mental illness, concerns over cost, etc.

Perceptions of the Functions of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in a College Sample

Crisis ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 338-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen L. Batejan ◽  
Lance P. Swenson ◽  
Stephanie M. Jarvi ◽  
Jennifer J. Muehlenkamp
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Affect Regulation ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
At Risk Students ◽  
College Campuses ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviors ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
History Of ◽  
Regulation Functions ◽  
Nonsuicidal Self Injury

Abstract. Background: Rates of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) are particularly high on college campuses. Commonly endorsed reasons for NSSI include interpersonal (e.g., seeking support) and intrapersonal (e.g., affect regulation) functions. Aims: This study compared college students with and without a history of NSSI on their views of NSSI functions in order to inform gatekeeper intervention/prevention programs targeting NSSI. Method: The Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury, which assessed NSSI behavior and functions of NSSI, was completed by 367 college students (73% female, 95% white). Results: Ninety-eight participants endorsed lifetime moderate/severe NSSI, 109 endorsed minor NSSI, and 160 denied any history of NSSI. Noninjuring participants' views of NSSI functions were compared with the views held by participants with histories of NSSI. The groups did not differ in their views of the relevance of intrapersonal functions, although noninjuring individuals appeared to stress some interpersonal factors (e.g., influence) slightly more than individuals with a history of NSSI did. Conclusion: These results suggest that college students generally hold similar perceptions of the functions of NSSI. Our findings suggest intervention/prevention efforts may consider broadening the selection of gatekeepers (e.g., peers with no history of NSSI) in schools and colleges to identify at-risk students and encourage help-seeking behaviors.

Young people’s help-seeking behaviours: dealing with their own versus a friend’s symptoms of poor mental health

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Seeking Help

The majority of young people dealing with symptoms of poor mental health experience difficulties seeking help, adolescents are more likely to talk to their friends when experiencing symptoms of poor mental health

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