Mental Health Help-seeking Attitudes Research Articles

Mental Health Help-Seeking Attitudes in Kermanshah Older Adults

Background: Mental health help-seeking is the initial step in evaluating one's mental state, receiving an accurate diagnosis and professional intervention for mental health problems. Objectives: The current study aimed to determine the mental health help-seeking attitudes of older adults in Kermanshah. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional research study was conducted in 2022 among 538 individuals aged 60 and above who were beneficiaries of the pension funds in Kermanshah, Iran. The samples were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling. Data were collected through interviews with older adults using a standardized questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16. Results: The mean age of respondents was 66.01 ± 4.09, ranging from 60 to 75 years. About 39% (210 people) of older adults had positive mental health help-seeking attitudes, and 61% (328 people) had negative mental health help-seeking attitudes. The positive mental health help-seeking attitudes were higher in older adults with higher educational levels (P < 0.001) and better economic status (P = 0.029). Conclusions: The majority of the older adults had a negative attitude towards mental health help-seeking, highlighting the importance of interventions to improve elderly attitudes toward mental health help-seeking.

Social Media Use for Youth Mental Health Awareness and Help-Seeking Attitudes: A Systematic Review

This study provides a systematic review of literature related to social media use for youth mental health awareness and help-seeking attitudes. By adopting the Scientific Procedures and Rationales for Systematic Literature Reviews (SPAR-4-SLR) protocol, 1418 peer-reviewed articles published in academic journals between January 2018 and February 2023 were identified and acquired from Google Scholar and Web of Science databases using keyword searching techniques. The retrieved articles were then organized and purified to exclude the articles that did not meet the inclusion criteria. Of these, only12 articles were eligible for evaluation, using content analysis and thematic analysis. In the context of mental health, our review revealed two themes of social media use, which were for seeking mental health information and seeking emotional support. It was also found that social media use has the potential to enhance mental health awareness and shape positive help-seeking attitudes among youth. Research gaps were identified in relation to the mediation mechanism of mental health awareness through which social media use is related to help-seeking attitudes, particularly in the context of a specific social media visual platform like Instagram. Derived from these findings, we offer research directions to further investigate the role of Instagram in developing youth help-seeking attitudes via mental health awareness.

WhySchool mental health training programs: effective for students, teachers, and school health staff

Abstract Introduction Adolescent mental health is an increasing concern due to the high prevalence of mental disorders and low levels of mental health literacy (MHL). Enhancing MHL and promoting access to services during this critical developmental phase is essential. Teachers and other educational professionals are vital in addressing mental health issues, encouraging positive mental health, reducing the stigma associated with mental illness, and promoting help-seeking behaviors. Methods This study evaluates the WhySchool project, a mental health training program for teachers, school health professionals, and students in Portugal, consisting of two interventions. The first intervention was a prospective pre-post study for teachers and school health professionals who underwent training during 2015-2016 and 2018-2020, with three evaluation phases. The second intervention was a quasi-experimental study in 2019-2020 for students who received the intervention program in a classroom setting administered by previously trained teachers. Results The first intervention significantly improved teachers’ and school health professionals’ mental health literacy, help-seeking attitudes, stigma reduction, and confidence in referring students in case of need. These effects remained stable at the M2 follow-up. In the second intervention, MHL scores increased significantly in the intervention group, while the control group showed no significant change. Stigma reduction and help-seeking attitudes also improved significantly in the intervention group, with no significant change in the control group. Conclusions The WhySchool program significantly and positively impacted teachers’ and students’ mental health literacy, help-seeking attitudes, and stigma reduction. The results underscore the importance of incorporating mental health programs into school curricula and providing teachers and school staff with the necessary tools and knowledge to deliver these programs effectively.

The Relationship Between Entrapment and Attitude Towards Seeking Mental Health Services Among Young Adults: A Pilot Study

Background: Many studies have been carried out in the past that discovered a link between different types of mental health conditions and help-seeking attitudes, but the link between entrapment and attitude towards seeking mental health services remains unknown. Objective: The study is pilot research that aims to fill the research gap by investigating the existence of association between feelings of entrapment and young adults' attitudes toward accessing mental health care. Method: A random sample of young individuals (n=90) in the age range of 18-30 years living in the Delhi NCR area of India were invited to complete the questionnaires to determine their level of entrapment and attitude towards seeking mental health care. Result: It was discovered that the two variables (feelings of entrapment and attitude towards seeking mental health services) have a significant negative relationship (r = -.855). Conclusion: Based on the findings, it is concluded that a high level of entrapment is associated with unfavourable attitudes regarding getting mental health-related services. Based on the findings, recommendations for a broader, more thorough investigation can be conducted.

The Relationship Between Masculinity and Help-Seeking Among Australian Men Living in Non-urban Areas

This study explores how traditional masculine norms affect mental health help-seeking attitudes in men residing in regional, rural, and remote Australia. Participants ( N = 271) were men living outside of major cities of Australia. Analyses of survey data found increasing endorsement of masculine norms was predictive of more negative attitudes toward help-seeking. Perceived barriers to help seeking partially mediated relationships between masculine norms and help seeking. Full mediation was present for gender role conflict through perceived barriers and help seeking. These findings suggest efforts to improve mental health of men from non-urban communities may consider the way health messages could be targeted to optimise help seeking. Increasing engagement with stakeholders, such as clinicians, community groups, government agencies, and mental health organisations is warranted when engaging men living in non-urban areas.

Prevalence of Mental Health Help-Seeking Attitudes among Public and Private Universities Students: A Case Study in Petaling

Prevalence of Mental Health Help-Seeking Attitudes among Public and Private Universities Students: A Case Study in Petaling

Evaluation of the Virtual Youth Mental Health First Aid Training for Asian Americans During COVID-19

ABSTRACT Asian American youth experience high rates of racism and mental health difficulties, yet are less likely to seek mental health services compared to their non-Asian peers. Due to restrictions on in-person interactions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, many mental health services have been delivered virtually since March 2020. Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) virtual training is a manualized program designed to educate adults on recognizing signs and symptoms of common adolescent mental health challenges, and how they could effectively intervene. However, there is no published research on the effectiveness of the YMHFA-virtual version. Also, there is limited research on the effectiveness of YMHFA among Asian Americans, a vulnerable population. Utilizing a pre-post design, we evaluated the effects of the virtual YMHFA that we adapted for Asian Americans. Thirty-five Asian/American adults (Mage = 47.0, SDage = 8.98) participated in the YMHFA-virtual training and completed pre- and post- surveys. Significant increases were found in participants’ mental health literacy (MHL), mental health knowledge, confidence in using the mental health first aid skills, help-seeking intentions, and help-seeking attitudes, while a significant decrease was found in their stigma toward mental illnesses. The effect sizes varied from small (e.g., attitudes) to large (MHL and confidence in using MHFA skills). These promising findings have several implications. The culturally adapted YMHFA-virtual version may be an effective way to reach Asian Americans and promote mental health awareness, helpful attitudes, and confidence in supporting youth with mental health challenges in a culturally sensitive and non-threatening manner among this population.

Predictors of Help-Seeking for Mental Health Treatment Among Latinos.

Despite mental health disorders being a leading cause of disability among Latinos, treatment-seeking behaviors are very low. Latinos are confronted with significant disparities in mental health treatment. This research study sought to examine (1) what are the attitudes toward professional help-seeking for mental health concerns among Latino individuals and (2) what participant characteristics and demographic factors are associated with Latino individuals' help-seeking attitudes. Employing a cross-sectional sampling strategy, 469 participants were recruited for a community-based survey study in the greater Houston area measuring mental health stigma and help-seeking attitudes. Structural equation modeling was used to estimate the associations between Latinos' help-seeking attitudes and sociodemographic characteristics of participants. Findings indicate that openness towards seeking professional help for mental health concerns is influenced by participants' age, marital status, gender, region of origin, education, public stigma, and self-stigma towards mental health problem. Findings support future research to examine broader systemic factors associated with help seeking and how they interact with sociodemographic characteristics and stigma. Latinos, even in parts of the country where they reside in high concentrations, continue to have low levels of mental health service utilization. Understanding the specific pathways that predict help-seeking for mental health issues is essential to systematically promoting early detection and entry into evidence-based treatments for Latinos.

Mental Health Help-Seeking Experience and Attitudes in Asian American, Multiracial American, and White American Emerging Adults

Mental Health Help-Seeking Experience and Attitudes in Asian American, Multiracial American, and White American Emerging Adults

Colonial mentality and mental health help-seeking attitudes: Testing a mediation model on Filipino Americans.

Colonial mentality and mental health help-seeking attitudes: Testing a mediation model on Filipino Americans.

Impact of Culture, Spirituality, and Mental Health Attitudes on Intergenerational Asian-American Caregivers: A Pilot Study.

Asian-Americans are more likely than other ethnic groups to care for older family members and less likely to seek mental health services. The research on caregiver burden among Asian-American intergenerational caregivers is limited. To investigate how spirituality and mental health help-seeking attitudes correlate with and predict perceived feelings of caregiver burden among Asian-American caregivers. Favorable mental health help-seeking attitudes were predicted to negatively correlate with caregiver burden, and spirituality was predicted to negatively correlate with and negatively predict caregiver burden. Quantitative survey research. Community mental health. One hundred one participants were recruited using the following inclusion criteria: Asian-Americans who currently or previously provided care to an Asian family member at least one generation older than the caregiver for at least 1 mo and in the past 3 yr. Outcomes and Measures: Items from the Burden Scale for Family Caregivers, Spirituality Scale, Expressions of Spirituality Inventory-Revised, Mental Help Seeking Attitudes Scale, and Self-Stigma of Seeking Psychological Help measured caregiver burden, spirituality, and mental health help-seeking attitudes. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between caregiver burden and spirituality and between caregiver burden and mental health help-seeking attitudes. Spirituality and number of domains of care were statistically significant predictors of caregiver burden. Spirituality was found to negatively predict caregiver burden among Asian-American intergenerational caregivers. Mental health help-seeking attitudes were negatively correlated with caregiver burden. Occupational therapy practitioners have the opportunity to integrate spirituality and culturally sensitive mental health promotion into their services to Asian-Americans. What This Article Adds: Evidence that spirituality is a negative predictor of caregiver burden for Asian-American intergenerational caregivers offers a unique opportunity for occupational therapy practitioners to offer alternative methods of mental health promotion with this population. Understanding that spirituality and mental health help-seeking attitudes are culturally mediated allows practitioners to be informed about a dynamic in Asian-American culture.

The Effect of Digital Health Interventions on Parents' Mental Health Literacy and Help Seeking for Their Child's Mental Health Problem: Systematic Review.

BackgroundMany children with mental health problems do not receive professional help. Despite the frequent use of digital health interventions (DHIs) such as websites or web-based service navigation platforms, their effects on parents’ mental health literacy, help seeking, or uptake of professional services are unclear.ObjectiveThis study aims to provide a systematic review and narrative synthesis to describe whether DHIs improve the aforementioned parental outcomes.MethodsDatabases, including CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE OVID, PsycINFO, and PubMed (2000-2020), were accessed. Studies were included if they evaluated quantitative changes in mental health literacy, help seeking, or the uptake of services by parents of children with mental health problems. Theoretical frameworks, sample sizes, participant demographics, recruitment, interventions, DHI use, results, and health economic measures were used for data extraction.ResultsOf the 11,379 search results, 5 (0.04%) studies met the inclusion criteria. One randomized controlled trial found the reduced uptake of services after using a DHI coupled with a telephone coach for a child’s behavioral problem. Of 3 studies, 2 (66.7%) found statistically significant improvement in mental health literacy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder but had no control group. One study found nonsignificant improvement in mental health literacy and help-seeking attitudes toward anxiety and depression compared with those in active controls. All studies were rated as having a high or serious risk of bias. Search results were affected because of a single reviewer screening articles, overall low-quality studies, and a lack of consistent nomenclature.ConclusionsThere is no high-quality evidence that DHIs can improve parents’ mental health literacy, help seeking, or uptake of services. More research is needed to evaluate DHIs by using rigorous study designs and consistent measures.Trial RegistrationPROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42020130074; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020130074

Mediating effect of stigma on the relationship between mental health literacy and help-seeking attitudes among university students in South Korea

Recent evidence demonstrates that improved mental health literacy and decreased stigma are two essential components to facilitate help-seeking behaviors and early identification of mental disorders. This study aimed at examining whether social and self-stigma mediated the level of mental health literacy on help-seeking attitudes among university students in South Korea. In this cross-sectional survey, 305 students from six universities in South Korea (female: 59%, age: 21.76 ± 3.11) joined the study. The survey included self-report measures of mental health literacy, social stigma, self-stigma, and help-seeking attitudes, as well as socio-demographic measures. Findings revealed that social and self-stigma partially mediated the association between the level of mental health literacy and mental health help-seeking attitudes among South Korean university students. Based on results, the importance of education and campaign to enhance mental health literacy and decrease stigma regarding mental health problems among university students in South Korea was highlighted.

Asian-American Caregivers: Factors That Influence Caregiver Burden

Abstract Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. This study surveyed 101 Asian-American caregivers of elderly people on factors that influence perceived caregiver burden. Spirituality was found to be a statistically significant predictor of caregiver burden. Furthermore, mental health help-seeking attitudes were negatively correlated with caregiver burden. This research informs OTs of the value of incorporating spirituality and mental health education with family caregivers to provide holistic, culturally competent services. Primary Author and Speaker: Yan-hua Huang Additional Authors and Speakers: Ciara Nagao, Kelsey Michelle Santos, and Madison Werchowsky

An investigation of college student-athletes’ mental health stigma, help-seeking attitudes, depression, anxiety, and life stress scores using structural equation modeling

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate the directional relationship between student-athletes’ (N = 621) degree of mental health stigma, help-seeking attitudes, and levels of depression, anxiety, and life stress. The results of the structural equation model (SEM) analyses identified that student-athletes’ amount of mental health stigma contributed to help-seeking attitudes (25.6% of the variance), but not levels of depression (.16% of the variance), anxiety (.09% of the variance), or life stress (.81% of the variance). Specifically, student-athletes’ mental health stigma shared a strong negative relationship with attitudes towards seeking psychological help (β = −.506, p < .001) and the mediation models identified that personal stigma mediates the relationship between public stigma and help-seeking attitudes. Implications purport the need to address the stigma of mental health at the societal level in order to mitigate personal stigma and promote a positive sport culture surrounding mental health and health help-seeking within athletes.

Asian Americans’ mental health help-seeking attitudes: The relative and unique roles of cultural values and ethnic identity.

Asian Americans’ mental health help-seeking attitudes: The relative and unique roles of cultural values and ethnic identity.

Mental health stigma and professional help-seeking attitudes a comparison between Cuba and Germany.

Globally the burden due to mental disorders is continuously increasing. Still, professional help-seeking behavior is not fully understood. To conceive cultural determinants of help-seeking is crucial to reduce personal and social costs of (untreated) mental disorders. The current study investigates mental health stigma and help-seeking attitudes in a Cuban (n = 195) and a German (n = 165) sample. In a questionnaire survey we asked for attitudes towards mental illness and professional help-seeking in the general Cuban and German populations. The cultural context was associated with mental health stigma and professional help-seeking attitudes. Interestingly, Cuban participants reported stronger mental health stigma and more willingness to seek help. In multiple hierarchical regression analyses, community attitudes towards the mentally ill significantly predicted help-seeking attitudes, especially in the Cuban sample. Only in the German sample, more negative individual beliefs about mental illness predicted more self-stigma on help-seeking. Beyond that, cultural context moderated the association between mental health stigma and help-seeking attitudes with a stronger association between the measures in the German sample. However, gender did not predict help-seeking attitudes and self-stigma on help-seeking and no interactions between community attitudes, cultural context, and gender were found in the prediction of help-seeking attitudes. Similarities and differences between the samples are discussed in the light of the cultural contexts and peculiarities of the current samples. Concluding, implications of the current findings are reviewed.

The potential impact of an anti-stigma intervention on mental health help-seeking attitudes among university students

BackgroundThe reluctance of young adults to seek mental health treatment has been attributed to poor mental health literacy, stigma, preference for self-reliance and concerns about confidentiality. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential impact of an anti-stigma intervention that includes education about depression, information about help-seeking as well as contact with a person with lived experience, on help seeking attitudes.MethodsA pre-post study design was employed. Changes in help-seeking attitudes were measured using the Inventory of Attitudes towards Seeking Mental Health Services (IASMHS) immediately post-intervention and after 3 months. Sociodemographic data, information on past experiences in the mental health field and contact with people with mental illness were collated. Three hundred ninety university students enrolled in the study. Linear mixed models were used to examine the effects of the intervention.ResultsScores on all subscales of the IASMHS, Psychological Openness (PO), Help-seeking Propensity (HP) and Indifference to Stigma improved significantly post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up compared to pre-intervention, with HP demonstrating the highest effect size. However, a significant decline was observed on all three scales at 3-month follow-up compared to post-intervention. Gender, having friends/family with mental illness, and previous experience in the mental health field moderated the intervention effects for the PO and HP subscales.ConclusionThe study showed that the brief anti-stigma intervention was associated with improvements in help-seeking attitudes among university students with differential effects among certain sub-groups. As the beneficial outcomes appeared to decrease over time, booster sessions or opportunities to participate in mental health-related activities post-intervention may be required to maintain the desired changes in help-seeking attitudes.

Effects of a Mobile and Web App (Thought Spot) on Mental Health Help-Seeking Among College and University Students: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundMental health disorders are the most prevalent health issues among postsecondary students, yet few solutions to this emerging crisis exist. While mobile health technologies are touted as promising solutions for the unmet mental health needs of these students, the efficacy of these tools remains unclear. In response to these gaps, this study evaluates Thought Spot, a mobile and web app created through participatory design research.ObjectiveThe goal of the research is to examine the impact of Thought Spot on mental health and wellness help-seeking intentions, behaviors, attitudes, self-stigma, and self-efficacy among postsecondary students in Canada.MethodsA 2-armed randomized controlled trial involving students from three postsecondary institutions was conducted. Students were eligible if they were aged 17 to 29 years, enrolled in full-time or part-time studies, functionally competent in English, and had access to a compatible digital device. The usual care group received a mental health services information pamphlet. The intervention group received the Thought Spot app on their digital device. Thought Spot is a standalone app that allows users to add, review, and search crowdsourced information about nearby mental health and wellness services. Users can also track their mood on the app. Outcomes were self-assessed through questionnaires collected at baseline and 3 and 6 months. The primary outcome was change in formal help-seeking intentions from baseline to 6 months, measured by the General Help-Seeking Questionnaire. A mixed-effects model was used to compare the impact of usual care and intervention on the primary outcome (formal help-seeking intentions). Secondary outcomes included changes in informal help-seeking intentions and help-seeking behaviors, help-seeking attitudes, self-stigma, and self-efficacy.ResultsA total of 481 students were randomized into two groups: 240 to usual care, and 241 to the intervention group. There were no significant differences in help-seeking intentions between the usual care and intervention groups over 6 months (F2,877=0.85; P=.43, f=0.04). Both groups demonstrated similar increases in formal help-seeking intentions at 3 and 6 months (F2,877=23.52; P<.001, f=0.21). Compared with males, females sought more help from formal resources (OR 1.86; 95% CI 1.22 to 2.83, P=.001). Females were less likely to seek help from informal sources than males (OR 0.80; 95% CI 0.22 to 0.73, P<.001).ConclusionsPrompting postsecondary students about mental health and help-seeking appears to increase help-seeking intentions. mHealth interventions may be as effective as information pamphlets in increasing formal help-seeking but may confer a small advantage in driving help-seeking from informal sources. Although there is enthusiasm, developers and health policy experts should exercise caution and thoroughly evaluate these types of digital tools. Future studies should explore the cost-effectiveness of digital interventions and develop strategies for improving their efficacy.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03412461; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03412461International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR2-10.2196/resprot.6446

Mental Health Literacy Intervention on Help-Seeking in Athletes: A Systematic Review.

Mental health literacy (MHL) is recognised as a major factor in whether athletes seek help when they experience mental health difficulties. Therefore, the current study aimed to provide a systematic review of the effectiveness of MHL training programmes in improving mental health knowledge and help-seeking and reducing stigma among athletes. To identify intervention studies of MHL programmes, five electronic databases were systematically searched for articles published before May 2020. The selection procedure was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. All kinds of study designs were included. Effect sizes were calculated for mental health knowledge, stigma reduction and help-seeking attitudes, intentions and behaviours. Risk of bias was assessed for each study using the Cochrane tool and the Newcastle–Ottawa quality assessment scale. Five studies (1239 participants in total) were selected for review. Overall, either small or medium effects were found for mental health knowledge, stigma reduction, help-seeking attitudes, and intentions for post- and follow-up interventions, whereas a null effect was found in help-seeking behaviours for both post- and follow-up interventions. Furthermore, three studies had a low risk of bias, and two had a high risk of bias. MHL interventions can enhance help-seeking attitudes and intentions and mental health knowledge and reduce stigma but do not increase help-seeking behaviours for now. Further studies should evaluate interventions to enhance help-seeking behaviours. Furthermore, the methodological quality of studies, including randomized controlled trials and other designs, should be improved in future research.