scholarly journals Facilitating factors and barriers in help-seeking behaviour in adolescents and young adults with depressive symptoms: A qualitative study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0247516
Author(s):  
Eline Eigenhuis ◽  
Ruth C. Waumans ◽  
Anna D. T. Muntingh ◽  
Marjan J. Westerman ◽  
Marlinde van Meijel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Facilitating Factors ◽  
Health Illiteracy

Objective Despite the availability of mental health care, only a minority of depressed adolescents and young adults receive treatment. This study aimed to investigate facilitating factors and barriers in help-seeking behaviour of adolescents and young adults with depressive symptoms, using qualitative research methods. Methods In-depth, semi-structured interviews with 32 participants with current or previous depressive symptoms aged 16 to 24 years using thematic content analysis. Findings Our sample consisted mainly of adolescents who eventually found their way to professional help. Five main themes in help-seeking by adolescents and young adults were identified: (I) Individual functioning and well-being, (II) Health literacy, (III) Attitudinal aspects, (IV) Surroundings, and (V) Accessibility. Prompts to seek treatment were disease burden and poor academic performance. Health illiteracy negatively influenced treatment-seeking behaviour. Attitudinal aspects either hampered (shame, wanting to handle the problem oneself, negative attitudes towards treatment) or facilitated (positive attitudes towards treatment) help-seeking. Furthermore, adolescents’ surroundings (school, family, and peers) appeared to play a critical role in the recognition of depressive symptoms and encouragement to seek help. Barriers regarding accessibility of mental health care were found, whereas direct and easy access to treatment greatly improved mental health care use. Conclusion Facilitating factors can play a critical role in the help-seeking process of depressed adolescents and young adults, and may guide efforts to increase access to mental health care of this vulnerable age group. In particular, recognition and encouragement from school personnel and peers and easy access to care providers positively influenced help-seeking in our sample. Health illiteracy and attitudinal aspects appeared to be important barriers to seeking treatment and public/school campaigns aimed at reducing health illiteracy and stigma might be necessary to improve treatment-seeking and health care utilization in this age group.

scholarly journals Youth mental health in Ireland: a lot done, more to do?

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Coughlan ◽  
M. Doyle
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Youth Mental Health ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
New Paradigm

The emergence of a new youth mental health paradigm has challenged how we think about the provision of mental health care for adolescents and young adults. This editorial tracks the origins of this new paradigm within the field of mental health both internationally and in Ireland.

Mental Health Problems and Help-Seeking among Adolescents

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.

“Sincerely Held Principles” or Prejudice? The Tennessee Counseling Discrimination Law

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick R. Grzanka ◽  
Elliot S. Spengler ◽  
Joseph R. Miles ◽  
Keri A. Frantell ◽  
Elliott N. DeVore
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Care Ethics ◽  
Health Care Ethics ◽  
Help Seeking Attitudes ◽  
Statewide Assessment ◽  
The Law

In 2016, Tennessee became the first state to allow counselors and therapists in private practice to deny services to any client based on the therapist’s sincerely held principles. The law’s proponents framed mental health care ethics as infringing on counselors’ religious liberties; its critics denounced the bill because it apparently targeted LGBT+ individuals. This exploratory study is the first statewide assessment of LGBT+ Tennesseans’ ( N = 346) perceptions of the law and how it may affect their help-seeking attitudes and behaviors. Evidence suggests widespread awareness of the law among our respondents and deep skepticism toward mental health care. Further, most respondents view the law as cover for discrimination. We stress the need for broader research on conscience clauses and call for advocacy against these laws, which have the potential to engender widespread harm to multiple minority groups.

scholarly journals Depression as seen through the eyes of rural Chinese women: Implications for help-seeking and the future of mental health care in China

2018 ◽  
Vol 227 ◽  
pp. 38-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peiyuan Qiu ◽  
Eric D. Caine ◽  
Fengsu Hou ◽  
Catherine Cerulli ◽  
Marsha N. Wittink
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Chinese Women ◽  
The Future

scholarly journals Chronic Illness and Internalizing Symptomatology in a Transdiagnostic Clinical Sample of Youth

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 633-642
Author(s):  
Elizabeth R Wolock ◽  
Alexander H Queen ◽  
Gabriela M Rodríguez ◽  
John R Weisz
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Physical Illness ◽  
Treatment Needs ◽  
Health Treatment ◽  
Chronic Physical Illness ◽  
Internalizing Symptomatology

Abstract Objective In research with community samples, children with chronic physical illnesses have shown elevated anxiety and depressive symptoms, compared to healthy peers. Less is known about whether physical illnesses are associated with elevated internalizing symptoms even among children referred for mental health treatment—a pattern that would indicate distinctive treatment needs among physically ill children receiving mental health care. We investigated the relationship between chronic physical illness and internalizing symptomatology among children enrolling in outpatient mental health treatment. Method A total of 262 treatment-seeking children ages 7–15 and their caregivers completed a demographic questionnaire, Child Behavior Checklist, and Youth Self-Report during a pre-treatment assessment. Physical illnesses were identified through caregiver report. Results There was no overall association between the presence/absence of chronic physical illness and parent- or child-reported symptoms. However, number of chronic physical illnesses was related to parent- and child-reported affective symptoms. Children with two or more chronic physical illnesses had more severe depressive symptoms than those with fewer physical illnesses. Conclusion Having multiple chronic illnesses may elevate children’s risk of depression symptomatology, even in comparison to other children seeking mental health care. This suggests a need to identify factors that may exacerbate depression symptoms in physically ill children who are initiating therapy and to determine whether different or more intensive services may be helpful for this group. The findings suggest the potential utility of screening for depression in youth with chronic physical illnesses, as well as addressing mental and physical health concerns during treatment.

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.

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