scholarly journals “It’s still taboo”: Help-seeking behaviors of transition-aged youth for mental health concerns – a qualitative study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsea Stunden ◽  
Julie Zasada ◽  
Nicole VanHeerwaarden ◽  
Elisa Hollenberg ◽  
Alexxa Abi-Jaoude ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Sources Of Support ◽  
Mental Health Concerns

BACKGROUND Transition-aged youth are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems, yet they are one of the least likely demographic groups to seek help. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore influences on and patterns in help-seeking for mental health concerns among transition-aged youth who attend post-secondary school in Canada. METHODS A qualitative research design was used, involving 12 semi-structured focus groups with transition-aged youth (17–29 years) attending Canadian post-secondary schools. Thematic analysis was conducted to code the transcripts and develop themes. RESULTS Four main themes and sub-themes regarding the process and experience of help-seeking were generated: (1) the influence of formal service providers (accessibility; experiences); (2) the influence of social factors (system navigation; stigma); (3) the influence of health literacy (symptom recognition; acting on symptoms; digital tools and the internet; mental health awareness campaigns); and (4) the influence of low-intensity sources of support, namely self-help. CONCLUSIONS Transition-aged youth seek help for mental health problems in different ways. Despite efforts to improve access to mental health services, transition-aged youth continue to face barriers to accessing these services, especially formal sources of support. Factors identified in this study that either hinder or facilitate help-seeking have pragmatic implications for developing help-seeking interventions and delivering mental health services for this population. In addition to other facilitators, family physicians are an important resource in the help-seeking process. Moreover, digital help-seeking tools have unique characteristics that may make these tools an important source of support for transition-aged youth. CLINICALTRIAL

scholarly journals Help-Seeking Behaviors of Transition-Aged Youth for Mental Health Concerns: Qualitative Study

10.2196/18514 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. e18514
Author(s):  
Chelsea Stunden ◽  
Julie Zasada ◽  
Nicole VanHeerwaarden ◽  
Elisa Hollenberg ◽  
Alexxa Abi-Jaoudé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Sources Of Support ◽  
Mental Health Concerns

Background Transition-aged youth are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems, yet they are one of the least likely demographic groups to seek help. Objective The aim of this study is to explore the influences on and patterns in help-seeking for mental health concerns among transition-aged youth who attend postsecondary schools in Canada. Methods A qualitative research design was used, involving 12 semistructured focus groups with transition-aged youth (17-29 years) who attended postsecondary schools in Canada. A thematic analysis was conducted to code the transcripts and develop themes. Results Four main themes and subthemes regarding the process and experience of help-seeking were generated: (1) the influence of formal service providers (accessibility and experiences), (2) the influence of social factors (system navigation and stigma), (3) the influence of health literacy (symptom recognition, acting on symptoms, digital tools and the internet, and mental health awareness campaigns), and (4) the influence of low-intensity sources of support, namely, self-help. Conclusions Transition-aged youth seek help for mental health problems in different ways. Despite efforts to improve access to mental health services, transition-aged youth continue to face barriers to accessing these services, especially formal sources of support. The factors identified in this study that either hinder or facilitate help-seeking have pragmatic implications for developing help-seeking interventions and delivering mental health services for this population. In addition to other facilitators, family physicians are an important resource in the help-seeking process. Furthermore, digital help-seeking tools have unique characteristics that may make them an important source of support for transition-aged youth.

scholarly journals Parent-Perceived Barriers to Accessing Services for Their Child’s Mental Health Problems

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Sofie Hansen ◽  
Gry Kjærsdam Telléus ◽  
Christina Mohr-Jensen ◽  
Marlene Briciet Lauritsen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Background: Many children and adolescents with impairing mental health disorders are not in contact with specialized child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). In order to close the service gap, it is important to increase our knowledge of barriers to access. The aim of this study was to investigate parent perceived barriers to accessing services for their child’s mental health problems to identify potential areas for improvement of access to CAMHS. Method: In this cross-sectional observational study 244 parents of children and adolescents referred to outpatient psychiatric assessment were interviewed using the Children’s services interview regarding barriers to accessing child mental health services across healthcare, educational services and social services. Parent reported barriers were analyzed in relation to the child’s age, referral reason, symptom duration and impairment of the child. Results: The most commonly reported barriers were lack of information about were to seek help (60.3%), the perception that professionals did not listen (59.8%) and professionals refusing to initiate interventions or provide referral to services (53.7%). Lack of knowledge, stigmatization and unavailability of services were common themes across barriers to help-seeking. Long symptom duration and parent rated impairment was associated with increased risk of reporting several barriers to help-seeking. Conclusion: Parents seeking help for their child’s mental health encounter numerous barriers that could explain part of the treatment gap and long duration of mental health problems in children prior to referral to CAMHS.

scholarly journals Parent-perceived barriers to accessing services for their child’s mental health problems.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Sofie Hansen ◽  
Gry Kjaersdam Telléus ◽  
Christina Mohr-Jensen ◽  
Marlene Briciet Lauritsen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Background Many children and adolescents with impairing mental health disorders are not in contact with specialized child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). In order to close the service gap, it is important to increase our knowledge of barriers to access. The aim of this study was to investigate parent perceived barriers to accessing services for their child’s mental health problems to identify potential areas for improvement of access to CAMHS. Method In this cross-sectional observational study 244 parents of children and adolescents referred to outpatient psychiatric assessment were interviewed using the Children’s services interview regarding barriers to accessing child mental health services across healthcare, educational services and social services. Parent reported barriers were analyzed in relation to the child’s age, referral reason, symptom duration and impairment of the child. Results The most commonly reported barriers were lack of information about were to seek help (60.3%), the perception that professionals did not listen (59.8%) and professionals refusing to initiate interventions or provide referral to services (53.7%). Lack of knowledge, stigmatization and unavailability of services were common themes across barriers to help-seeking. Long symptom duration and parent rated impairment was associated with increased risk of reporting several barriers to help-seeking.Conclusion Parents seeking help for their child’s mental health encounter numerous barriers that could explain part of the treatment gap and long duration of mental health problems in children prior to referral to CAMHS.

scholarly journals Parent-perceived barriers to accessing services for their child’s mental health problems.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Sofie Hansen ◽  
Gry Kjaersdam Telléus ◽  
Christina Mohr-Jensen ◽  
Marlene Briciet Lauritsen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Background: Many children and adolescents with impairing mental health disorders are not in contact with specialized child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). In order to close the service gap, it is important to increase our knowledge of barriers to access. The aim of this study was to investigate parent perceived barriers to accessing services for their child’s mental health problems to identify potential areas for improvement of access to CAMHS. Method: In this cross-sectional observational study 244 parents of children and adolescents referred to outpatient psychiatric assessment were interviewed using the Children’s services interview regarding barriers to accessing child mental health services across healthcare, educational services and social services. Parent reported barriers were analyzed in relation to the child’s age, referral reason, symptom duration and impairment of the child. Results: The most commonly reported barriers were lack of information about were to seek help (60.3%), the perception that professionals did not listen (59.8%) and professionals refusing to initiate interventions or provide referral to services (53.7%). Lack of knowledge, stigmatization and unavailability of services were common themes across barriers to help-seeking. Long symptom duration and parent rated impairment was associated with increased risk of reporting several barriers to help-seeking. Conclusion: Parents seeking help for their child’s mental health encounter numerous barriers that could explain part of the treatment gap and long duration of mental health problems in children prior to referral to CAMHS.

scholarly journals Mental health help-seeking barriers, facilitators and interventions. A systematic review

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonia Aguirre ◽  
Ignacio Silva ◽  
Jo Billings ◽  
Magdalena Jimenez ◽  
Sarah Rowe
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
General Mental Health

Abstract Background: Increasing rates of mental health problems among adolescents are alarming. Teens who are most in need of mental health attention are reluctant to seek help. A better understanding of the help-seeking in this population is crucial to overcome this gap. Methods: Five databases were searched to identify the principal barriers, facilitators and interventions targeting help-seeking for common mental health problems in adolescents aged 10-19 years. The search was performed in June 2018 and updated in March 2019. Two independent screening processes were made using the eligibility criteria. Quality assessment of each study was performed and findings summarised using a narrative synthesis. Results: 90 studies meet the inclusion criteria for this review for barrier and facilitators (n=54) and interventions (n=36). Stigma and negative beliefs towards mental health services and professionals were the most cited barriers. Facilitators included previous positive experience with health services and mental health literacy. Most interventions were based on psychoeducation, which focused on general mental health knowledge, suicide and self-harm, stigma and depression. Other types of interventions included the use of multimedia and online tools, peer training and outreach initiatives. Overall, the quality of studies was low to medium and there was no general agreement regarding help-seeking definition and measurements. Conclusion: Most of interventions took place in an educational setting however, it is important to consider adolescents outside the educational system. Encouraging help-seeking should come with the increased availability of mental health support for all adolescents in need, but this is still a major challenge for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. There is also a need to develop shared definitions, theoretical frameworks and higher methodological standards in research regarding help-seeking behaviours in adolescents. This will allow more consistency and generalisability of findings, improving the development of help-seeking interventions and ensuring timely access to mental health treatments.

scholarly journals Parent-perceived barriers to accessing services for their child’s mental health problems

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Sofie Hansen ◽  
Gry Kjaersdam Telléus ◽  
Christina Mohr-Jensen ◽  
Marlene Briciet Lauritsen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Background Many children and adolescents with impairing mental health disorders are not in contact with specialized child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). In order to close the service gap, it is important to increase our knowledge of barriers to access. The aim of this study was to investigate parent perceived barriers to accessing services for their child’s mental health problems to identify potential areas for improvement of access to CAMHS. Method In this cross-sectional observational study 244 parents of children and adolescents referred to outpatient psychiatric assessment were interviewed using the Children’s services interview regarding barriers to accessing child mental health services across healthcare, educational services and social services. Parent reported barriers were analyzed in relation to the child’s age, referral reason, symptom duration and impairment of the child. Results The most commonly reported barriers were lack of information about were to seek help (60.3%), the perception that professionals did not listen (59.8%) and professionals refusing to initiate interventions or provide referral to services (53.7%). Lack of knowledge, stigmatization and unavailability of services were common themes across barriers to help-seeking. Long symptom duration and parent rated impairment was associated with increased risk of reporting several barriers to help-seeking. Conclusion Parents seeking help for their child’s mental health encounter numerous barriers that could explain part of the treatment gap and long duration of mental health problems in children prior to referral to CAMHS.

scholarly journals Parental help-seeking in primary care for child and adolescent mental health concerns: qualitative study

2010 ◽  
Vol 197 (6) ◽  
pp. 476-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kapil Sayal ◽  
Victoria Tischler ◽  
Caroline Coope ◽  
Sarah Robotham ◽  
Mark Ashworth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Behavioural Difficulties ◽  
Mental Health Concerns

BackgroundChild and adolescent mental health problems are common in primary care. However, few parents of children with mental health problems express concerns about these problems during consultations.AimsTo explore the factors influencing parental help-seeking for children with emotional or behavioural difficulties.MethodFocus group discussions with 34 parents from non-specialist community settings who had concerns about their child's mental health. All groups were followed by validation groups or semi-structured interviews.ResultsMost children had clinically significant mental health symptoms or associated impairment in function. Appointment systems were a key barrier, as many parents felt that short appointments did not allow sufficient time to address their child's difficulties. Continuity of care and trusting relationships with general practitioners (GPs) who validated their concerns were perceived to facilitate help-seeking. Parents valued GPs who showed an interest in their child and family situation. Barriers to seeking help included embarrassment, stigma of mental health problems, and concerns about being labelled or receiving a diagnosis. Some parents were concerned about being judged a poor parent and their child being removed from the family should they seek help.ConclusionsPrimary healthcare is a key resource for children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties and their families. Primary care services should be able to provide ready access to health professionals with an interest in children and families and appointments of sufficient length so that parents feel able to discuss their mental health concerns.

Stigma and Poor Mental Health Literacy As Barriers to Service Use Among Unemployed People With Mental Illness – A Qualitative Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S487-S487 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Staiger ◽  
T. Waldmann ◽  
S. Krumm ◽  
N. Rüsch
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Unemployed People

Introduction/objectivesMental health problems were shown by different studies to be both: results of and risk factors for unemployment. However, unemployed people with mental health problems often have difficulties in finding and using mental health services and therefore do not benefit from therapies. Because unemployed individuals outside the healthcare system are a hard-to-reach group, barriers to but also facilities for mental health services are poorly understood.AimsThe aim of the study is to identify barriers and facilitators of help seeking and service use, based on experiences of unemployed people with mental health strains.MethodsWe conducted 15 qualitative semi-structured interviews with unemployed individuals, facing self-reported mental health problems or mental illness. Topics included individual experiences with help-seeking and mental health service use, with a focus on barriers and facilitators. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and major themes were identified.ResultsPatients fear adverse reactions of psychiatric medication. They report to be treated as “different” by their social environment and health professionals, which leads to a lack of self-esteem and inhibits them in their help seeking efforts. Social support and desire for change on the other hand can be strong motivational factors in searching for help.ConclusionPerception of GPs towards mental health issues of their patients, and especially unemployed patients, has to be raised. Stigmatization of mental illnesses and help seeking should be reduced in practical context.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Help-Seeking for Mental Health Problems of Children: Preferences and Attitudes in the United Arab Emirates

2004 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 663-667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valsamma Eapen ◽  
Rafia Ghubash
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Parental Attitudes ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Sociocultural Factors ◽  
Child Psychiatric

Parental attitudes, religious beliefs, and other sociocultural factors have all been recognized to influence help-seeking patterns in relation to child psychiatric morbidity. But few systematic studies have addressed this issue in the Arab region. In this study, we investigated the help-seeking preferences for mental health problems in a community sample. 325 parents contacted as part of a community-based study of child psychiatric disorders were surveyed using a semistructured interview schedule. Only 38% of those surveyed indicated they would seek help from mental health specialists in the event of psychiatric problems developing in a family member, including their children. Main reasons given for nonconsultation were reluctance to acknowledge that a member of their family has a mental illness, stigma attached to attending mental health services, and the skepticism about the usefulness of mental health services. Willingness to utilize psychiatric services was associated with better parental education, occupation, and socioeconomic status. Our results suggest that sociocultural factors and parental perceptions may have a major effect on whether children with psychiatric disturbance receive professional help.

scholarly journals What are the barriers, facilitators and interventions targeting help-seeking behaviours for common mental health problems in adolescents? A systematic review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonia Aguirre ◽  
Ignacio Silva ◽  
Jo Billings ◽  
Magdalena Jimenez ◽  
Sarah Rowe
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Common Mental Health Problems

Abstract Background: Increasing rates of mental health problems among adolescents are of concern. Teens who are most in need of mental health attention are reluctant to seek help. A better understanding of the help-seeking in this population is needed to overcome this gap. Methods: Five databases were searched to identify the principal barriers, facilitators and interventions targeting help-seeking for common mental health problems in adolescents aged 10-19 years. The search was performed in June 2018 and updated in March 2019. Two independent screening processes were made using the eligibility criteria. Quality assessment of each study was performed and findings summarised using a narrative synthesis. Results: 90 studies meet the inclusion criteria for this review for barrier and facilitators (n=54) and interventions (n=36). Stigma and negative beliefs towards mental health services and professionals were the most cited barriers. Facilitators included previous positive experience with health services and mental health literacy. Most interventions were based on psychoeducation, which focused on general mental health knowledge, suicide and self-harm, stigma and depression. Other types of interventions included the use of multimedia and online tools, peer training and outreach initiatives. Overall, the quality of studies was low to medium and there was no general agreement regarding help-seeking definition and measurements. Conclusion: Most of interventions took place in an educational setting however, it is important to consider adolescents outside the educational system. Encouraging help-seeking should come with the increased availability of mental health support for all adolescents in need, but this is still a major challenge for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. There is also a need to develop shared definitions, theoretical frameworks and higher methodological standards in research regarding help-seeking behaviours in adolescents. This will allow more consistency and generalisability of findings, improving the development of help-seeking interventions and ensuring timely access to mental health treatments.

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