The need for nuanced stigma-reduction programmes to improve help seeking for mental health problems

Evidence indicates that stigma impedes an individual’s chance of seeking professional help for a mental health crisis. Commonly reported aggregate-level results for stigma-reduction efforts obfuscate how much stigma reduction is needed to incur a practically meaningful change within an individual, defined here as an attitudinal shift and openness towards seeking mental health for oneself and/or support for others. When basing conclusions and recommendations about stigma-reducing interventions on aggregate scales, it is unclear how much stigma reduction is needed to incur meaningful change within an individual. We explored the impact of reductions in stigma of help-seeking scores in response to an online suicide prevention video among young adults in the United States, using online surveys to collect qualitative and quantitative data. We compared mean changes in the stigma scores from pre- to post-test (video exposure) of 371 young U.S. adults using standard t-tests and individual level analysis. A separate thematic analysis of free-text responses was also conducted from a smaller, randomly-selected subgroup, capturing individuals’ attitudes towards help-seeking for mental health problems. Great attention was given to participants to ensure that they were in a campus setting where counseling services were available. Four main themes emerged: (1) small changes in stigma scores were associated with individual reports of meaningful reductions in their attitudes towards professional counseling; (2) increased empathy towards victims of suicide and other mental health problems sometimes indicated increased empathy for victims of suicide and decreased openness in professional help; (3) empathy towards victims sometimes took the form of increased scores and grief or sadness, possibly thwarting the potential for help-seeking; and (4) self-reports of decreased stigma were not always associated with increased openness towards help-seeking. Results also indicated that small stigma score charges, not meeting statistical significance, were often associated with increased openness towards seeking help. These findings, discovered using mixed-methods, contribute to the body of literature regarding stigma towards suicide and help-seeking by demonstrating deficits in the aggregate-only analysis of stigma-reducing interventions specifically aimed at suicide prevention. Such individuation in stigma experiences indicates that public education on how to reduce the stigma of help-seeking for suicide prevention needs to consider individual-level analyses for improving target populations. Recommendations for future research include additional studies prior to releasing suicide prevention videos to public forums where they may be seen by individuals without access to help.

Download Full-text

Prevalence of Mental Health Problems and Help-Seeking Behavior in a Hispanic-Serving Institution

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e594782013-001 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Hsiu-Lan Cheng ◽

Richard Martinez ◽

Jessica L. Jackson ◽

Casey N. Durham ◽

Jill K. Peters ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Help Seeking Behavior ◽

Hispanic Serving Institution ◽

Seeking Behavior ◽

Hispanic Serving

Download Full-text

Investigation of the “alternative” effects of an online support group for mental health problems among Japanese adults: A cross-sectional study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.21348 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Osamu Kobori ◽

Naoki Yoshinaga

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Support Groups ◽

Support Group ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Online Support ◽

Online Support Groups ◽

Online Support Group ◽

Usage Frequency

BACKGROUND Owing to the rapid development of social networking services, online support groups vary widely both in goal and structure. Several studies have shown the potential effectiveness of online support groups, such as reducing psychological distress (eg depression) among individuals with mental health problems. However, online support groups often do not aim at effectiveness regarding distress-relief-related outcomes. OBJECTIVE The U2plus.jp (hereinafter U2plus) is an online support group for individuals with depression; in it, people support each other in structured ways while engaging in simple cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) exercises. This study aimed to examine if usage frequency of the U2plus functions are associated with decreased stigma and increased consumer. METHODS In total, 355 U2plus users took part in an online survey. They were asked what therapy they had ever received, how often they logged into it and used each of its functions, and completed the following questionnaires: The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Perceived Devaluation Discrimination Scale, and the General Help Seeking Scale. RESULTS Regarding the therapy they received, 89.3% (n=308) had been on medication for mental health problems, and 67.5% (n=233) had received psychotherapy or mental health counselling. Regarding the usage frequency, approximately 20% of the participants signed in to U2plus and used its functions more than once a week. The usage frequency of U2plus functions was not associated with perceived stigma. However, usage frequency of some functions was correlated to help seeking intentions from formal sources (eg doctors and psychologists). Moreover, 90% of the participants had a history of medication for their mental health. Additionally, the more depressed participants were, the more frequently they used U2plus. CONCLUSIONS It was suggested that online support groups may serve as an alternative treatment option for those who are already undergoing pharmacological treatment and are willing to seek help from whatever source they deem helpful.

Download Full-text

Formal Help-Seeking Behavior of Adolescents Identifying Themselves as Having Mental Health Problems

Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry ◽

10.1097/00004583-199406000-00013 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 33 (5) ◽

pp. 718-728 ◽

Cited By ~ 116

Author(s):

STEPHEN M. SAUNDERS ◽

MICHAEL D. RESNICK ◽

HARRY M. HOBERMAN ◽

ROBERT WILLIAM BLUM

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Help Seeking Behavior ◽

Seeking Behavior

Download Full-text

Online screening and feedback to increase help-seeking for mental health problems: population-based randomised controlled trial

BJPsych Open ◽

10.1192/bjpo.bp.115.001552 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 67-73 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Philip J. Batterham ◽

Alison L. Calear ◽

Matthew Sunderland ◽

Natacha Carragher ◽

Jacqueline L. Brewer

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Anxiety ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Service Use ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Population Based ◽

Health Problems ◽

Professional Service ◽

Negative Effect

BackgroundCommunity-based screening for mental health problems may increase service use through feedback to individuals about their severity of symptoms and provision of contacts for appropriate services.AimsThe effect of symptom feedback on service use was assessed. Secondary outcomes included symptom change and study attrition.MethodUsing online recruitment, 2773 participants completed a comprehensive survey including screening for depression (n=1366) or social anxiety (n=1407). Across these two versions, approximately half (n=1342) of the participants were then randomly allocated to receive tailored feedback. Participants were reassessed after 3 months (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ANZCTR12614000324617).ResultsA negative effect of providing social anxiety feedback to individuals was observed, with significant reductions in professional service use. Greater attrition and lower intentions to seek help were also observed after feedback.ConclusionsOnline mental health screening with feedback is not effective for promoting professional service use. Alternative models of online screening require further investigation.

Download Full-text

How Symptom Manifestations Affect Help Seeking for Mental Health Problems Among Chinese Americans

The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease ◽

10.1097/nmd.0b013e31815fa4f9 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 196 (1) ◽

pp. 46-54 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Winnie W. Kung ◽

Pei-Chun Lu

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Chinese Americans ◽

Health Problems

Download Full-text

Mental Health Problems and Help-Seeking among Adolescents

Sibirskiy psikhologicheskiy zhurnal ◽

10.17223/17267080/79/11 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 189-202

Author(s):

E.V. Rezun ◽

◽

H.R. Slobodskaya ◽

N.B. Semenova ◽

T.O. Rippinen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Mental Health Care ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Sleep Disturbances ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Self Report ◽

Emotional And Behavioral Problems ◽

Seeking Help

The mental health problems among adolescents have long-lasting effects throughout life. However, research evidence indicates that only 10–30% of adolescents who needed mental health care had received specialized help. The present study reports the prevalence of mental health problems and help-seeking among adolescents, taking into account gender and age differences. The sample included 1752 adolescents (47 % boys,) aged 12-17 years. Data were collected on in two Siberian cities (Novosibirsk and Krasnoyarsk) using an international self-report questionnaire developed for the school-based Eurasian Child Mental Health Study. Participants were recruited from 18 schools, students completed questionnaires anonymously during school lessons. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance (ANOVA), multiple regression analysis, and crosstabs using a chi-squared test. The level of emotional and behavioral problems in Siberian adolescents was slightly higher than that found in European and Asian countries. Twenty three percent of adolescents reported frequent headaches (at least once a week), 11 % reported frequent abdominal pain and 14% suffered from frequent sleep disturbances (3–5 times a week or more). Girls reported a significantly higher level of problems than boys, with the largest gender differences for emotional problems, recurrent pains and sleep disturbances. Weekly consumption of alcohol and daily use of nicotine among boys was more common than among girls (3 % and 6 %, respectively), whereas less frequent use of alcohol and nicotine was commoner in girls (16 %) than in boys (10 %); 7 % of boys and girls had tried drugs at least once. Suicidal thoughts were reported by 22 % of adolescents, 6 % reported suicide attempts and 6 % reported repeated self-harm. One third of adolescents considered seeking outside help and 9 % had actually done so. Girls reported more help-seeking than boys; older girls sought help more often than younger and middle-aged ones. Around one third of adolescents sought help from their relatives; 26 % from friends, the Internet or other non-professional sources; 5 % reported seeking help from a doctor or nurse, and 3 % from a psychologist. The most important independent predictors of seeking help were emotional symptoms, suicidal ideation and hyperactivity/inattention. The results suggest a need for future investigation of the factors associated with help-seeking behavior among adolescents. It is also necessary to develop mental health promotion programs for adolescents, interventions to improve mental health literacy and access to mental health care.

Download Full-text

Depressive Symptoms, Help-Seeking, and Barriers to Mental Healthcare Among Healthcare Professionals in Lithuania

Acta medica Lituanica ◽

10.15388/amed.2020.28.1.3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 3

Author(s):

Daniel Rogoža ◽

Robertas Strumila ◽

Eglė Klivickaitė ◽

Edgaras Diržius ◽

Neringa Čėnaitė

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Mental Healthcare ◽

Health Problems ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Work Related ◽

Patient Health

Background: Previous research suggests that healthcare professionals (HCPs) experience high levels of work-related psychological distress, including depressive symptoms. Due to the stigma of mental health problems and other barriers, HCPs are likely to be hesitant to seek appropriate mental healthcare. We aimed to explore these phenomena among HCPs in Lithuania.Methods: A web survey inquiring about depressive symptoms, help-seeking, and barriers to mental healthcare was conducted. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). 601 complete questionnaires were included in the analyses. The barriers to help-seeking were identified using the inductive content analysis approach. Descriptive, non-parametric, and robust statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software.Results: Most of the respondents have reported depression-like symptoms over the lifetime, although only about a third of them sought professional help. Of those, roughly half preferred a private specialist. The stigma and neglect of mental health problems were the most common barriers to help-seeking. Around half of the HCPs believed that seeking mental healthcare can imperil their occupational license. About a quarter of the HCPs screened positive for clinically relevant depressive symptoms. Statistically significant differences in the PHQ-9 score were found between categories of healthcare specialty, marital status, religious beliefs, workplace, and years of work as a HCP. Fewer years of work and younger age were associated with the higher PHQ-9 score.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that HCPs in Lithuania may be inclined not to seek appropriate mental healthcare and experience poor mental health, although stronger evidence is needed to verify these findings.

Download Full-text