Help For Mental Health Difficulties Research Articles

Increasing Help-Seeking Intentions for Mental Health Difficulties in Early Adolescence: The Role of Cumulative Promotive Factors

AbstractDespite evidence to suggest that receiving support for mental health difficulties can improve later outcomes, adolescents often do not seek help when needed. While factors that reduce the likelihood of help-seeking intentions are well established, little is known about the factors that may increase adolescents’ intentions to seek help. This study sought to identify promotive factors for general help-seeking intentions, as well as help-seeking intentions from formal and informal sources specifically, and to test the assumptions of cumulative promotion theory in relation to help-seeking. Participants comprised 290 early adolescents (aged 11–14) in Northwest England who completed a suite of online measures assessing their mental health, wellbeing, and help-seeking intentions. Candidate promotive factors were modelled, and a cumulative promotive index (CPI) score was generated for each participant. Hierarchical regression was used to analyse the data. A range of promotive factors were identified for help-seeking intentions. CPI scores were significant predictors of all three help-seeking outcomes, even after accounting for the variance explained by the individual promotive factors. Thus, this study confirms two key tenets of cumulative promotion theory in relation to help-seeking intentions amongst adolescents: (1) as the number of promotive factors increases, intentions to seek help for mental health difficulties also increase, and (2) the number of promotive factors is more important than their nature when increasing help-seeking intentions.

Supplemental Material for Bisexual Women's Experiences of Receiving Help for Mental Health Difficulties Through Psychological Therapy: A Qualitative Exploration

Supplemental Material for Bisexual Women's Experiences of Receiving Help for Mental Health Difficulties Through Psychological Therapy: A Qualitative Exploration

Bisexual women's experiences of receiving help for mental health difficulties through psychological therapy: A qualitative exploration.

Bisexual women's experiences of receiving help for mental health difficulties through psychological therapy: A qualitative exploration.

Childhood adversity and mental health in veterans seeking treatment for mental health difficulties: Comparisons with the general military population.

The aims of the present study were to measure childhood adversity in veterans seeking treatment for mental health difficulties and to compare rates of childhood adversity with the general military population. Further, the study explored associations between childhood adversity and mental health difficulties and demographic variables. Participants were recruited from a U.K. veterans mental health charity and completed surveys relating to childhood adversity, mental health, and demographic variables. Ratings of childhood adversity were compared with data previously collected from the wider U.K. military population. Logistic regression analyses were used to explore associations between childhood adversity, mental health, and demographic factors. In total, 44% of veterans (N = 178/403) reported experiencing 6 or more adverse events in childhood, compared with 24% in the general military population. Many participants reported drug and alcohol misuse or domestic violence between parents. PTSD, anger, and brain injury were all related to high childhood adversity. Veterans who are seeking help for mental health difficulties report experiencing a high amount of adversity in childhood, suggesting they are more likely to present with complex mental health profiles. Clinicians working with veterans would benefit from assessment for childhood adversity in formulating mental health difficulties in this population. The Armed Forces and those involved in postdeployment health care have a duty to continue to provide and improve effective mental health assessments and interventions to ensure veterans have access to appropriate support and treatments. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Evaluating the Efficacy of the Drinks:Ration Mobile App to Reduce Alcohol Consumption in a Help-Seeking Military Veteran Population: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundAlcohol misuse is higher in the UK armed forces (AF) than in the general population. Research demonstrates that alcohol misuse persists after an individual leaves service, and this is notably the case for those who are seeking help for a mental health difficulty. Despite this, there is no work on testing a mobile alcohol reduction intervention that is personalized to support the UK AF.ObjectiveTo address this gap, we investigated the efficacy of a 28-day brief alcohol intervention delivered via a mobile app in reducing weekly self-reported alcohol consumption among UK veterans seeking help for mental health difficulties.MethodsWe performed a 2-arm participant-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT). We compared a mobile app that included interactive features designed to enhance participants’ motivation and personalized messaging (intervention arm) with a version that provided government guidance on alcohol consumption only (control arm). Adults were eligible if they had served in the UK AF, were currently receiving or had received clinical support for mental health symptoms, and consumed 14 units (approximately 112 g of ethanol) or more of alcohol per week. Participants received the intervention or the control mobile app (1:1 ratio). The primary outcome was a change in self-reported weekly alcohol consumption between baseline and day 84 assessed using the validated Timeline Follow Back for Alcohol Consumption (TLFB) (prior 7 days), with a secondary outcome exploring self-reported change in the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) score.ResultsBetween October 2020 and April 2021, 2708 individuals were invited to take part, of which 2531 (93.5%) did not respond, 54 (2%) were ineligible, and 123 (4.5%) responded and were randomly allocated (62, 50.4%, intervention; 61, 49.6%, control). At day 84, 41 (66.1%) participants in the intervention arm and 37 (60.7%) in the control arm completed the primary outcome assessment. Between baseline and day 84, weekly alcohol consumption reduced by –10.5 (95% CI –19.5 to –1.5) units in the control arm and –28.2 (95% CI –36.9 to –19.5) units in the intervention arm (P=.003, Cohen d=0.35). We also found a significant reduction in the AUDIT score of –3.9 (95% CI –6.2 to –1.6) in the intervention arm (Cohen d=0.48). Our primary and secondary effects did not persist over the longer term (day 168). Two adverse events were detected during the trial.ConclusionsThis study examined the efficacy of a fully automated 28-day brief alcohol intervention delivered via a mobile app in a help-seeking sample of UK veterans with hazardous alcohol consumption. We found that participants receiving Drinks:Ration reduced their alcohol consumption more than participants receiving guidance only (at day 84). In the short term, we found Drinks:Ration is efficacious in reducing alcohol consumption in help-seeking veterans.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04494594; https://tinyurl.com/34em6n9fInternational Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR2-10.2196/19720

Psychological Distress and Help-Seeking Facilitators in Quebec Men: Findings From a Province-Wide Survey

Introduction It has been well established that men are not inclined to seek psychosocial help. Although barriers preventing psychosocial help-seeking behaviors in men have been extensively documented, few studies have investigated perceived facilitators and preferences involved in these behaviors. Methods Based on an online survey of 2095 Quebec men, this descriptive study explores men’s psychological distress and help-seeking behaviors, perceptions of effective facilitators of help-seeking behaviors, and psychosocial intervention preferences. Results About 30% of the men surveyed presented some form of psychological distress, and very few had used psychosocial services in the last year. Most men did not have a preference regarding the gender of their therapist, although they reported favoring solution-focused interventions and appreciating a continuity in the therapeutic relationship. Men also highly rated the importance of free or low-cost services to facilitate help-seeking behaviors. Finally, they indicated a high probability of consulting, if their doctor would tell them to, or if they noticed that their situation affected on their children, or if they experienced suicidal ideation. Discussion Understanding what encourages men to seek help for mental health difficulties and their preferences in services and intervention may lead to greater service use and improved mental health.

Subjective and objective sleep in young people with borderline personality disorder features.

Characterising sleep in young people (aged 15-25years) with borderline personality disorder (BPD) features is crucial given the association between BPD features and sleep disturbance, negative consequences of poor sleep, and normative developmental sleep changes that occur in this age group. The present study aimed to characterise the sleep profile of young people with BPD to determine whether this profile is non-normative and specific to BPD. Participants were 96 young people (40 with BPD features, 38 healthy individuals, and 18 young people seeking help for mental health difficulties without BPD). Sleep was measured subjectively (self-report questionnaires) and objectively (10days of actigraphy). Young people with BPD features reported poorer subjective sleep quality, greater insomnia symptoms and later chronotype than same-age healthy and clinical comparison groups. Young people with BPD features also displayed irregular sleep timing, later rise times, greater time in bed and longer sleep durations than healthy young people. Those with BPD features had superior sleep quality (greater sleep efficiency, less wake after sleep onset) and longer sleep durations than the clinical comparison group. Sleep profiles were similar across young people with BPD features with and without co-occurring depression. Overall, the findings revealed a subjective-objective sleep discrepancy and suggest that sleep-improvement interventions might be beneficial to improve subjective sleep in young people with BPD features.

Exploring the impact of COVID-19 and restrictions to daily living as a result of social distancing within veterans with pre-existing mental health difficulties

IntroductionData are emerging showing the adverse consequences on mental health of the general public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Little is known about the needs of veterans with pre-existing mental...

Young Adult Mental Health Difficulties: Obstacles to Seeking Help

Project Abstract This paper considers the obstacles preventing young adults from seeking help for mental health difficulties. Research methods include qualitative and quantitative studies primarily collected from college students within the last twelve years. Results show stigma, both perceived and self-held, are significant factors hindering young adults from seeking help for mental health difficulties. Other factors that hinder help-seeking are: personal characteristics, lack of coping skills, lack of knowledge of services available, and the fear of being labeled. The general conclusions are that with the steady rise in numbers of those suffering with mental health difficulties, it is essential that work be done to reduce stigma, especially through education and awareness.

Engaging male students with mental health support: a qualitative focus group study

BackgroundMales are less likely to seek help for mental health difficulties compared to females. Despite considerable interest, a paucity of evidence-based solutions exists to address this. Concerns about students’ mental health has led to the United Kingdom’s Department of Education to make this a priority. Studies have shown that male students hold more negative attitudes towards the use of psychological services compared to female students and are less likely to seek help. A major concern is that male students make up 69% of university suicides, which is often associated with lower rates of help-seeking. This focus group study therefore sought to identify potential approaches that would be relevant to improving mental health help-seeking in male students.MethodsThree focus groups comprising of 24 male students at a London University were conducted. Participants were asked questions exploring: the barriers to seeking help, what would encourage help-seeking, how an appropriate intervention should be designed, and how to publicise this intervention to male students. Thematic analysis was conducted to evaluate participants responses.ResultsFive distinct themes were identified. These were: 1) protecting male vulnerability, 2) providing a masculine narrative of help-seeking, 3) differences over intervention format, 4) difficulty knowing when and how to seek help, and 5) strategies to sensitively engage male students.ConclusionsThese themes represent important considerations that can be used, together with the existing literature about male help-seeking, to develop more male friendly interventions that are suitable for male students. This could help improve help-seeking attitudes and the uptake of mental health interventions for male students experiencing emotional distress.

Improving Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviours for Male Students: A Framework for Developing a Complex Intervention.

Men are less likely to seek help for mental health difficulties and this process is often used to help explain the disproportionally higher suicide rates compared to women. Furthermore, university students are often regarded as a vulnerable population group with a lower propensity to seek help. Thus, male students are a very high-risk group that is even more reluctant to seek help for mental health difficulties, placing them at high risk of suicide. Often, student mental health problems are highlighted in the media, but very few evidence-based solutions specifically designed for male students exist. The current paper seeks to provide a comprehensive framework about how to better design mental health interventions that seek to improve male students’ willingness to access psychological support. The Medical Research Council’s (MRC’s) framework for developing a complex intervention was used to develop an intervention relevant to male students. In this paper, previous help-seeking interventions and their evaluation methods are first described, secondly, a theoretical framework outlining the important factors male students face when accessing support, and thirdly, how these factors can be mapped onto a model of behaviour change to inform the development of an evidence-based intervention are discussed. Finally, an example intervention with specific functions and behaviour change techniques is provided to demonstrate how this framework can be implemented and evaluated. It is hoped that this framework can be used to help reduce the disparity between male and female students seeking mental health support.

Childhood adversities in UK treatment-seeking military veterans

IntroductionThe long-term consequences of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on adult physical and mental health are well documented in the literature. The current study sought to examine this relationship in a...

Young People's Online Help-Seeking and Mental Health Difficulties: Systematic Narrative Review.

BackgroundYoung 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.ObjectiveThe 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.MethodsA 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.ResultsOverall, 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.ConclusionsApproaches 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.

Improving Mental Health Service Utilization Among Men: A Systematic Review and Synthesis of Behavior Change Techniques Within Interventions Targeting Help-Seeking.

Compared to women, men are less likely to seek help for mental health difficulties. Despite considerable interest, a paucity in evidence-based solutions remains to solve this problem.The current review sought to synthesize the specific techniques within male-specific interventions that may contribute to an improvement in psychological help-seeking (attitudes, intentions, or behaviors). A systematic review identified 6,598 potential articles from three databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO). Nine studies were eligible. A meta-analysis was problematic due to disparate interventions, outcomes, and populations. The decision to use an innovative approach that adopted the Behavior Change Technique (BCT) taxonomy to synthesize each intervention’s key features likely to be responsible for improving help-seeking was made. Of the nine studies, four were engagement strategies (i.e., brochures/documentaries), two randomized controlled trials (RCTs), two pilot RCTs, and one retrospective review. Regarding quality assessment, three were scored as “strong,” five as “moderate,” and one as “weak.” Key processes that improved help-seeking attitudes, intentions, or behaviors for men included using role models to convey information, psychoeducational material to improve mental health knowledge, assistance with recognizing and managing symptoms, active problem-solving tasks, motivating behavior change, signposting services, and, finally, content that built on positive male traits (e.g., responsibility and strength). This is the first review to use this novel approach of using BCTs to summarize and identify specific techniques that may contribute to an improvement in male help-seeking interventions, whether engagement with treatment or the intervention itself. Overall, this review summarizes previous male help-seeking interventions, informing future research/clinical developments.

Promoting college students to seek help for mental health difficulties: a social normative approach

AbstractThe aim of this study was to test whether an online social normative intervention would promote college students’ help seeking attitudes and intentions. To investigate this, a between-group, post-test, experimental design consisting of 207 students (69 males, 138 females), aged 18–25 years (M = 20.46, SD = 1.96) was used. Students who received the social normative feedback reported more positive help-seeking attitudes, with students who had mental health problems also reporting more positive help-seeking intentions. The findings of this study are discussed with respect to methodological considerations, and recommendations for practice and future research are provided for student counselling clinics.

Health-seeking attitudes and existing support services for psychiatric trainees

IntroductionConcern for medical doctors’ health has been widely recognized over the past ten years. EFPT is aware of the heterogeneity of support set up for doctors in distress, recognizing the need for further cross-Europe research.AimsThe EFPT “HELP Project” was designed to investigate psychiatry trainees’ perceptions of and attitudes towards health seeking at a Europe-wide scale. Furthermore, it aims to determine what services are available in Europe specifically to support physicians’ health.MethodsMultinational, cross-sectional survey conducted in 14 European countries between 2013 and 2014. Data collection was accomplished by an anonymous online or hard copy questionnaire. Completion implied consent to participate. Data was analysed using SPSS v20.0.ResultsOf the respondent trainees, 57.7% were from developed economies; 46.2% under 30 years; 26.9% males. Ninety-eight per cent said they would have surgery in the public sector, versus 42.3% who agree to get treatment there for an eating disorder, depression (28.8%) or addiction (17.3%). Trainees from developing economies were significantly less confident in using public sector help for mental health difficulties. When asked for advice regarding the same problems in their fellow trainees, they said they would recommend public sector help. Specific services for doctors exist in the UK, Spain, The Netherlands and Switzerland, but most trainees said there were no services locally.ConclusionThe EFPT believes specialised physician health services are needed to ensure doctors seek help when necessary, while avoiding feeling stigmatised or punished in doing so. The authors plan to create a ‘survival guide’ for European trainees in distress, with collated information about local services for doctors.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

P03 Baseline characteristics and early mental health sequelae in adolescents presenting after sexual assault

<h3>Background</h3> Estimates suggest 29% of rapes and 41% of sexual assaults reported to the police involve victims &lt;17 years. Longitudinal research evaluating outcomes following adolescent sexual assault is lacking. <h3>Aims</h3> To describe the characteristics of adolescent sexual assault and early mental health sequelae in young people (YP) presenting to the sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) serving a large UK city. <h3>Methods</h3> <i>Design</i>: Prospective longitudinal cohort study. <i>Study population</i>: We approached all YP aged 13–17 years presenting to a SARC within six weeks of assault. Baseline data collection included psychological evaluation using the Short Moods and Feelings Questionnaire (depressive symptoms), Self-Report for Childhood Anxiety-Related Disorders (SCARED)-short form (anxiety symptoms) and Impact of Events Scale (post-traumatic symptoms). <h3>Results</h3> 30% of YP consented to take part. Data are available for the first 94 participants (mean [SD] age: 15.16 [1.24] years; 96% female). Those with learning disability and young people of black ethnicity were over-represented compared to the local population (18% <i>vs.</i> 2.5%, and 23% <i>vs</i>. 11%, respectively). 15% had a history of previous non-consensual sex and 44% were known to social services. 39% had sought help for mental health difficulties in the previous year and 37% had previously self-harmed. Participants experienced vaginal rape in 72% of cases, oral rape in 40% and anal rape in 13%. 44% of assaults involved physical violence and 9% involved a weapon. 29% involved alcohol and 14% involved drugs. 36% were stranger assaults, 47% involved an acquaintance and the remainder involved partners or ex-partners (3%), or a relative (5%). Assailants were most commonly aged 15–20 (41%) or 21–30 (22%), with 12% &lt;15 years. Early psychological outcomes: 73% had significant depressive symptoms, 90% had a high likelihood of post-traumatic stress disorder, 69% met criteria for panic disorder or significant somatic symptoms, and 60% met criteria for generalised anxiety disorder. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Adolescents accessing SARCs are a vulnerable population and exhibit high levels of psychological morbidity within six weeks of sexual assault. Longitudinal research is critically important for evaluating outcomes over time and to inform interventions and preventive programmes.

Prevalence rates and risk factors for mental health difficulties in adolescents aged 16 and 17 years living in rural Ireland.

This study sought to ascertain the prevalence rates and risk factors for a range of mental health difficulties, including suicidal ideation/self-harm among 16 and 17-year-old rural Irish adolescents, a vulnerable group in transition from childhood to adulthood. Adolescents (n=237) took part in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed a questionnaire compendium consisting of generic questions on demographic information, use of mental health services and four normed questionnaires: The Youth Self-Report, the Children's Depression Inventory, the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations-Adolescent and The Family Assessment Device. We found that 16.9% of adolescents reported clinically significant mental health difficulties. Significant gender differences were found on internalising and externalising difficulties. There were no gender differences in suicidal ideation or self-harm. Only 3.4% of adolescents were receiving professional help for mental health difficulties. Multiple regression analyses revealed that family dysfunction, emotion-focussed coping and poor academic competence were significant predictors of poorer mental health difficulties in both genders. Family dysfunction was the strongest predictor of mental health difficulties in males. Among females, emotion-focussed coping was the strongest predictor of internalising difficulties and depression. Social diversion (social support) was predictive of less internalising difficulties and depression for females. The study shows that a significant number of Irish 16 and 17 year olds have mental health difficulties, yet very few are receiving treatment. Emotion-focussed coping, family dysfunction, poor academic competence and less social support were important predictors of mental health difficulties. A new finding is the stronger association that family dysfunction has with poorer mental health in males than females, when controlling for academic competence and coping skills. The findings may have implications for psychological interventions.

Racial and ethnic minority college students' stigma associated with seeking psychological help: Examining psychocultural correlates.

Many college students underuse professional psychological help for mental health difficulties. The stigma associated with seeking such help appears to be one of the reasons for this underuse. Levels of psychological distress and past use of counseling/psychotherapy have been found to be important correlates of stigma associated with seeking psychological help (Obasi & Leong, 2009; Vogel, Wade, & Haake, 2006). For racial and ethnic minorities, the hindering effects of self-stigma and perceived stigmatization by others on treatment seeking may further be compounded by their relationships with their own ethnic groups, with other ethnic groups, and with the dominant society. This study used structural equation modeling (SEM) to test a model that explored the effects of psychological distress and psychocultural variables (i.e., ethnic identity, other-group orientation, perceived discrimination) on perceived stigmatization by others and self-stigma for seeking psychological help, controlling for past use of counseling/psychotherapy. The sample consisted of 260 African American, 166 Asian American, and 183 Latino American students. SEM multigroup analyses indicated measurement invariance, but partial structural invariance, across racial/ethnic groups. Across all 3 groups, higher levels of psychological distress and perceived racial/ethnic discrimination, respectively, predicted higher levels of perceived stigmatization by others for seeking psychological help, which, in turn, predicted greater self-stigma for seeking psychological help. Higher levels of other-group orientation predicted lower levels of self-stigma of seeking psychological help across groups. Higher levels of ethnic identity predicted lower levels of self-stigma of seeking psychological help only for African Americans. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Online mental health resources for teenagers: an evaluation of two websites developed for adolescents

Young people are less likely to seek help for mental health difficulties. Good quality mental health information from reliable sources may help overcome barriers to help seeking in young people and improve awareness of the common symptoms related to mental health problems. With an adolescent population in mind, websites for depression and for stress and anxiety were developed for young people and those caring for them by one of the authors. The current evaluation sought to assess the use of, and perceived satisfaction with, each of these mental health websites. Data from the website domains were considered in relation to unique visits, country of origin and source of referral. Qualitative website user feedback was gained from evaluation questionnaires. Findings showed that website visits for both resources have increased year-on-year and feedback from the evaluation revealed that the resource information was perceived to be trustworthy, reliable and informative. The feedback indicated that the resource wa...