Mental Health Help-seeking Behavior Research Articles

Exploring the barriers and facilitators to mental health help-seeking behaviours in British elite track and field athletes

Track and Field (T&F) is at the heart of the summer Olympic Games and research has highlighted mental health issues in this population, such as depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and eating disorders. Our qualitative study explored the barriers and facilitators to help-seeking behaviors among British athletes to help create, implement, and inform pathways for mental health support. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine elite T&F athletes (aged 21–27 years, M = 22.8), who had an average of five years’ international competitive experience, including participating at various Commonwealth, European and World Championships. Four key themes were constructed and categorized as a barrier or facilitator to mental health help-seeking behaviors. Barriers included a lack of access to and prioritization of mental health support in comparison to physical health support and the scrutiny of others regarding mental health issues within (e.g., sports commentators) and outside (e.g., the public) the sport. In contrast, facilitators included normalizing mental health experiences through tailored online platforms and storytelling by role models and the team around the athlete in promoting openness to, and engagement with help-seeking. Overall, there is a need to embed mental health support into elite athletes’ routines, to the equivalent level of physical health support. A novel outcome of our study identified the value of sports specific online platforms in increasing awareness and sharing experiences of mental health. Key stakeholders should consider supporting such online platforms and improve the dissemination of mental health information to strengthen communities that are supportive and nourishing to athletes. Lay Summary: Nine elite track and field athletes discussed factors impacting help-seeking for mental health. Data indicated the need to increase the provision of psychological support, so it is on par with support provided for physical health and to consider harnessing the potential of sport specific online platforms to normalize mental health. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Our study reinforces the need for National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and sport practitioners to consider an increase in, and clarity over, the provision of sport psychology and mental health support in the track and field environment. It is essential to ensure that athletes know where and when to seek support and to normalize mental health issues within elite sport so they can be holistically supported. Sharing experiences of mental health via sport specific online platforms offer a novel but important context by which to empower athletes with their help-seeking intentions and challenges the stigma surrounding mental health in sport. NGB’s may wish to expand and utilize such platforms to promote mental health support services or educational programmes.

The Relationship of Mental Health Literacy to Help-Seeking Behavior: Systematic Review

Mental health is an important aspect in realizing overall health. It is estimated that one in four people will suffer from a mental disorder during their lifetime. There are approximately 450 million people suffering from mental and behavioral disorders worldwide where about 85% of people with severe mental disorders in developing countries do not receive treatment for their disorders. This study aims to determine the relationship between mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviors. This research method uses Systematic review to search for articles on several data based including: PubMed, EBSCO, Science Direct, ProQuest, Taylor & Francis, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Search results obtained with the keywords Mental health literacy, mental health, help-seeking behavior obtained 539 articles. After being filtered based on inclusion criteria, namely research articles relevant to the purpose of writing, free full-text, English or Indonesian, respondents' age of 15 years, and published in 2018-2022 produced 62 articles. The same article, not the result of a research or³ review article, and different articles of targets and variables were issued so that 10 articles were obtained. The result of this study is that there is a significant relationship between mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviors. The relationship of mental health literacy to help-seeking behaviors is positive meaning that an increase in scores on mental health literacy also affects an increase in scores on help-seeking behaviors. It can be concluded that the higher the level of mental health literacy, the more it can improve help-seeking behavior.

Stress, Anticipatory Anxiety, and Mental Health Help-Seeking among Chinese Students in United States at the Beginning of COVID-19: A Thematic Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic brought numerous negative effects towards people’s mental health. The current study explored the influence of pandemic on Chinese international students in the U.S. at the beginning of the pandemic. Interview method was used in this study. Interview questions included the influence of pandemic, the influence of panic caused by pandemic, the influence of Asian-hates events, and mental health help-seeking behaviour. As the result, three main themes were narrowed down: stress, anticipatory anxiety, and help-seeking behaviour. The current study found that the most frequent stressor was the risk of infection. The other direct stressors were difficulty of traveling between China and the U.S., negative influence of academic life, and shortage of medical supplies. More indirect stressors were found: worries about Chinese students in the U.S. being infected by parents, worries about discrimination by parents, discriminating experiences of friends, and infection history of friends and of relatives in China. Three anticipatory anxieties were found: getting in touch with others, anti-Asian events, and different strategies to cope with disease. All participants reported no professional help-seeking behaviour. Five of eight participants reported the non-professional help-seeking. Three of eight participants reported they used self-regulation to cope with the stress and anxiety. The results demonstrated the unique experience and coping strategy of Chinese international students. Although they had lived in the U.S. for many years, their coping strategies still identified with Chinese culture. Future study could explore more associations of stress, anxiety, and help-seeking to understand and help Chinese international students better. This study can provide some guidance for future intervention studies and practices regarding the mental health situation of Chinese international students in other countries during the pandemic.

Improving university students’ mental health literacy using experiential learning opportunities

Objectives: University students represent a vulnerable population to mental health and wellbeing issues. However, young people are likely to delay or fail to engage in help-seeking behaviours. Embedding mental health learning opportunities in curriculum design may improve the mental health and wellbeing of students, but there are challenges to embedding this material in non-health disciplines where students’ intrinsic interests may not align with mental health–themed coursework. To explore this challenge, the present study involved embedding mental health literacy learning into an Event Management course through an experiential learning opportunity. Design: A quasi-experimental design involving university students divided into intervention groups ( n = 40) and control groups ( n = 83). Setting: Students in the intervention groups managed events across campuses of a major Australian university in support of a University Mental Health and Wellbeing Day. Students in the control groups managed non-mental health events. Method: Pre- and post-event surveys compared students’ perceptions of experiential learning, of the effectiveness of student-led events in promoting mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviours in themselves and peers, and of embedding mental health learning into an experiential learning framework. Results: Results suggest that experiential learning opportunities that contain mental health literacy content in addition to course content can be valuable without interruption to core learning aims. Conclusion: This study is one of the first to evaluate the impact of innovative curriculum designs that embed mental health literacy in non-health disciplines, highlighting the opportunities for creative approaches to improving mental health education in universities.

Stop Asian hate: The mental health impact of racial discrimination among Asian Pacific Islander young and emerging adults during COVID-19

BackgroundThe rapid surge in anti-API discrimination and assault during the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to exacerbate mental health disparities already pervasive among API populations. The primary of this study was to understand the impact of the pandemic and COVID-related discrimination on API college and university student mental health. MethodsSecondary data was used from three administrations (Fall 2019, Spring 2020, and Fall 2020) of the Healthy Minds Study (HMS). We conducted Chi-square analyses to analyze differences in mental health symptoms across the three academic semesters. Cross-sectional multivariable logistic regression models were utilized to examine the association between COVID-related discrimination and mental health symptoms and help-seeking behavior during Spring 2020 and Fall 2020. ResultsComparing Fall 2019 to Fall 2020, we found that API students reported a 17 % increase in severe depression and a 30 % increase in severe anxiety. Mental health treatment utilization among those experiencing clinically-significant mental health problems decreased by 26 % between Fall 2019 and Spring 2020. COVID-related discrimination was associated with greater odds of severe depression in both Spring 2020. LimitationsHMS does not include a random sample of campuses as schools themselves elect to participate. Analyses rely on self-report data. ConclusionsThroughout the COVID-19 pandemic, API students reported significant increases in clinically-significant mental health symptoms and decreases in treatment utilization. Our analyses also suggest that COVID-related discrimination is correlated with greater odds of clinically-significant mental health symptoms, including severe depression and severe anxiety, as well as lower odds of treatment utilization.

Predictors of Mental Health Literacy among Parents, Guardians, and Teachers of Adolescents in West Malaysia.

Parents, guardians, and teachers are the informal sources of mental health support that adolescents rely on. Nevertheless, limited mental health knowledge limits their ability and confidence in providing appropriate assistance. This study aims to (1) evaluate the relationship between the roles of parents/guardians and teachers and their responses to discover the common misconceptions on mental health among those providing informal support to adolescents and (2) determine which demographic factors would act as the strongest predictor influencing their mental health literacy (MHL) status. The cross-sectional study recruited 867 parents, guardians, and teachers of adolescents from 24 government secondary schools' parent-teacher associations via multistage stratified random sampling. Parents, guardians, and teachers' MHL were evaluated using the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule-Malay Version (MAKS-M). The collected data were analyzed using Pearson's Chi-squared test to investigate the association between the respondents' roles and responses. Multiple Regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of MHL. The score of MAKS-M for the current study sample is 73.03% (M = 43.82, SD = 4.07). Most respondents responded incorrectly on Items 1 (employment), 6 (help-seeking), 8 (stress), and 12 (grief). Teachers provided more favorable responses on several items than parents and guardians. Finally, younger age, higher income, knowing someone with mental disorders, and having experience of attending formal training on mental health first aid were the significant predictors of MHL. MHL interventions in Malaysia should cater to older adults of lower socioeconomic status and lesser experience in mental health, specifically highlighting the stigmas on mental health help-seeking behaviors, treatment, and employment concerns, plus the recognition of various mental health diagnoses.

A qualitative assessment of mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviors among male college students

Although the number of students receiving care from college counseling centers has increased, engaging male college students to seek help presents a unique challenge. This qualitative study explored mental health literacy and help-seeking behaviors among undergraduate college men. Semi-structured interviews (n = 26) based on three vignettes (anxiety, depression, stress) were employed to assess mental health literacy. Analysis revealed three general themes and associated sub-themes: (a) knowledge of signs and symptoms (physiological, behavioral, and emotional); (b) recommended help-seeking behaviors (do nothing, self-care, seek help); and (c) barriers to help-seeking (social stigma, self-stigma, masculinity). Findings present a triadic interplay between the person, help-seeking behavior, and environment. Future research should explore this dynamic relationship to inform interventions aimed at improving college male mental health help-seeking behavior.

Mental health consequences of COVID-19 suppression strategies in Victoria, Australia: a narrative review.

The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed significant mental health burdens upon the general population worldwide, either directly owing to the disease or indirectly through aggressive public health measures to control spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. In this narrative review, we used a systematic approach to summarize the impact of restrictive lockdown measures on the general mental health of people living in Victoria, Australia during 2020 and to identify the groups with an increased risk of adverse mental health outcomes. A systematic database search (Ovid Medline, PsycINFO, Embase) for articles examining the mental health of Victorians in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020 yielded 88 articles, of which 15 articles were finally included in this review. We found that the general mental health of Victorians was negatively affected by COVID-19 restrictions during 2020. Although studies reported heterogeneous mental health outcomes, we found that the general population consistently used coping strategies and demonstrated mental health help-seeking behaviors in response to the restrictions. Women, children, young people, carers, people who became unemployed owing to the pandemic, and those with pre-existing psychiatric conditions had a higher risk of adverse mental health consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Youth Mental Health Help-Seeking Information Needs and Experiences: A Thematic Analysis of Reddit Posts

Youth are vulnerable to mental health challenges. Social media presents an opportunity to evaluate disinhibited mental health discourse and self-disclosure. The objective of this study was to explore reported experiences and information needs related to youth seeking support for mental health on the social media platform, Reddit.com. We searched two subreddits: r/mental health and r/teenagers on Reddit.com for posts made by youth (13–24 years) relating to mental health help-seeking behaviors and information needs. Posts were screened and relevant data were extracted, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Thematic analysis of relevant posts yielded four themes: (1) navigating mental health issues, (2) disclosing to others, (3) barriers to seeking care, and (4) experiences seeking care. Youth may have a diverse range of mental health help-seeking-related information needs and may face several barriers throughout the process of seeking care.

The mental health of elite athletes in developing nations of the greater Oceania region

ABSTRACT Objective The mental health of elite athletes is reportedly similar to that of the general community, but there could be important differences across geographic regions and cultures. This study investigated the mental health and levels of psychological distress of elite athletes from developing nations in the Oceania region via a cross-sectional survey. Method The survey assessed the mental health status, psychological distress, and help-seeking behaviours of athletes from 12 nations of the Oceania region who participated in the Gather, Adjust, Prepare, Sustain (GAPS) program. Results A high proportion of athletes (84%) met cut-off criteria for at least one of the investigated mental health symptoms. Athletes reported being most likely to seek help from their mother, father, or coach. Furthermore, athletes who reported high psychological distress did not differ in anticipated help-seeking behaviour from athletes who reported low psychological distress. Conclusions The findings suggest that mental health symptoms are prevalent among elite athletes from developing nations in the Oceania region. Psychological distress did not predict willingness to seek help, suggesting that education and support frameworks are needed to assist this vulnerable group. Piloting support programs in collaborative aid with nearby developed nations may be warranted and interventions may consider targeted mental health literacy resources and education.

Temperament, parenting, mental disorders, life stressors and help-seeking behavior of Asian adolescent suicide attempters: A case control study.

PurposeThe need to elucidate risk factors for adolescent suicide is urgent, as suicide consistently ranks among the top causes of death globally. Understanding suicide risk factors could inform more effective interventions. Previous studies have identified certain risk factors associated with suicide, but there is a paucity of research among adolescent and multi-ethnic Asian populations.Materials and methodsThis case-control study sampled 13-to-19-year-old Asian adolescents who had attempted suicide (N = 60) and controls (N = 58) matched by age, ethnicity and gender at group-level (73.7% female). Life stressors, temperament, parenting style, mental health conditions and help-seeking behavior were examined.ResultsAll domains of life stress apart from emerging adult responsibility were higher among cases than controls, especially home life, peer pressure and romantic relationships. Suicide attempters tended to avoid new situations, be less adaptable to changes, have a negative outlook and irregular sleep-wake cycle. Additionally, they perceived their parents to be significantly more aggressive, neglecting, rejecting and cold, while parents’ perceptions of their own parenting were only significantly different in the domain of parental neglect. Cases were more likely to exhibit disorders of disruptive behavior, eating, mood, anxiety, symptoms of schizophrenia and experience of disturbing events. Significant differences were also found for 10 out of 12 Axis II disorders, particularly borderline, depressive, and avoidant personality disorder traits. No significant case-control differences were found regarding overall rates of help-seeking.ConclusionFindings from this study may help in suicide prevention efforts through more tailored interventions.

Promoting Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviors by Mental Health Literacy Interventions in Secondary Education? Needs and Perspectives of Adolescents and Educational Professionals.

Mental health literacy (MHL) interventions in secondary schools may help to improve competencies that adolescents require to stay mentally healthy and seek help if mental health problems arise. These MHL interventions should be tailored to the needs of adolescents and educational professionals (EPs) to reach sustainable implementation and long-term effectiveness. However, evidence is lacking on these needs. Thus, our aim was to explore their experiences with, and perspectives on, mental health help seeking and needs regarding MHL interventions. We performed online focus group discussions and interviews with adolescents (n = 21; 13–19 years) and EPs (n = 12) and analyzed the data using directed content analysis. We identified three themes related to mental health help seeking: (1) Limited MHL competencies of adolescents, (2) Limited competencies of EP to provide mental health support, and (3) Limited mental health promotion in the school environment. We further identified three themes regarding MHL interventions: (1) Addressing basic mental health knowledge and skills, (2) Interactive and easily accessible, and (3) Sustainable implementation. Improving the MHL competencies of adolescents and EPs, and creating a mental health-literate school environment can promote adolescents’ mental health help seeking. Our findings highlight the importance of developing MHL interventions that are tailored to both adolescents’ and EPs needs.

The role of stigma and spirituality on mental health help-Seeking behavior: an experimental approach

ABSTRACT Background The purpose of this research is to examine how social marketing messages can be developed to reduce the stigma associated with seeking help for mental health conditions. It also explores the role that spirituality plays in an individual’s propensity to pursue help for mental health challenges. Methods A two-factor between-subjects experiment (ad message: destigmatizing and control × spirituality: high and low) between-subjects design was conducted with 275 participants from the millennial generational cohort in the United States. Responses were collected using an online consumer panel. Results Findings indicate that when presented with an advertisement that reduces the stigma associated with mental illness, individuals have a more favorable emotional reaction toward seeking help for a mental health condition. In addition, spirituality moderates the effect of advertising on mental health help-seeking behavior. Individuals with more intrinsic spirituality are more likely to seek care for a mental health issue, whereas those who report less intrinsic spirituality may need the help of destigmatizing messages. Specifically, individuals who report less intrinsic spirituality have more favorable attitudes toward an advertisement that destigmatizes mental illness, and as a result express greater intentions to seek care for a mental health condition. Conclusions This research contributes to discussions centered on better understanding how to break down barriers to seeking aid for mental illness. Messaging which destigmatizes mental illness might start by targeting those who are less inclined to believe in transcendence. Moreover, since spirituality also includes a search for meaning, connectedness, and growth, such messaging might also be beneficial to those who are less likely to engage in activities which link the mind, body and spirit, such as meditation, mindfulness and yoga.

Explaining adults’ mental health help-seeking through the lens of the theory of planned behavior: a scoping review

BackgroundDespite evidence-based efficacy, mental health services are underutilized due to low rates of help-seeking, leaving unmet mental health needs a global concern. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) has been applied to understand the help-seeking process and in the development of behavior change interventions. The aim of this scoping review was to map the literature on the TPB as applied to mental health help-seeking in adults aged >18 years.MethodsThis scoping review was conducted based on the methodology presented by Arksey and O’Malley (2005). Six databases (CINAHL, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, ProQuest Health and Medicine, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, Web of Science) and two grey literature sources (OpenGrey, Google Scholar) were systematically searched in February 2018 and updated in March 2020. Studies that explicitly discussed the TPB in the context of mental health help-seeking were initially selected; only studies that explored formal help-seeking for mental health problems and were published in English were retained. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel.ResultsInitially, 8898 records were identified. Of these, 49 met the selection criteria and were included: 32 were journal articles and 17 were theses. Forty-three papers reported on non-intervention studies and seven articles reported on TPB-based interventions. Most studies (n = 39) identified predictors of help-seeking intentions. Attitudes and perceived behavioral control were significant predictors of intentions in 35 and 34 studies, respectively. Subjective norms were a significant predictor of intentions in 23 studies. Few studies aimed to predict help-seeking behavior (n = 8). Intentions and perceived behavioral control were significant predictors of behavior in seven and six studies, respectively. Only six TPB-based interventions were identified, all used digital technology to influence help-seeking, with mixed results.ConclusionsThe present scoping review identified a considerable evidence base on the TPB for predicting mental health help-seeking intentions. Attitudes and perceived behavioral control were frequently found to be significant predictors of help-seeking intentions. Knowledge on the TPB for predicting mental health help-seeking behavior, and on TPB-based interventions, is limited. Thus, the role of the TPB in developing help-seeking interventions remains unclear. Recommendations are presented to address such research gaps and inform policy and practice.

Common Mental Health Disorders and Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviors among Caregivers of Diabetic Children in Ismailia

Common Mental Health Disorders and Mental Health Help-Seeking Behaviors among Caregivers of Diabetic Children in Ismailia

Causal theoretical frameworks that explain veteran mental health help-seeking behavior: a scoping review protocol.

This scoping review will determine what causal theoretical frameworks have been used to examine veteran mental health help-seeking behavior. The review will also examine the causal factors proposed by these theoretical frameworks, and whether they account for the complex cultural, social, and affective experiences of veterans, which may drive both uptake or avoidance of mental health help-seeking. Some military veterans delay mental health help-seeking, preventing early intervention, creating poor long-term quality of life and functional outcomes, and increasing the likelihood of reaching crisis point before seeking help. There is a distinct lack of research utilizing causal motivational frameworks to explain veteran mental health help-seeking behavior (both engagement and avoidance). To date, no review has been conducted on motivational frameworks used to explain veteran help-seeking behavior. This scoping review will be the first to identify the motivational models that have been used to explain veteran mental health help-seeking, as well as table the proposed causal factors, and determine whether the models account for the cultural, social, and affective experiences of veterans. This scoping review will only consider studies on veteran cohorts. Studies in English that utilize or create an explanatory theory, model, or framework for veteran mental health help-seeking behavior will be included. Literature that focuses solely on intentions rather than behavior will be excluded. Published and unpublished studies and gray literature will be included. Titles and abstracts will be screened, followed by full-text screening. Factors, theories, models, and frameworks used to explain veteran help-seeking behavior will be extracted, charted, and narratively summarized. The JBI methodology for scoping reviews will be used.

Influence of Depression Literacy, Mental Health Beliefs, and Stigma on Help-seeking Behaviour: A Semi-Systematic Review

Despite having a mental health act and clinical practice guideline, Malaysian patients with depression frequently progress to severe disease with poor prognosis. Understanding the underlying factors which influence help-seeking behaviour using a patient journey approach can provide insights for designing effective interventions. The study aimed to determine the different stages of patients journey for depression including awareness, screening, diagnosis, treatment, adherence, and control using a semi-systematic review. The review was conducted through (i) structured keyword search in Embase, MEDLINE, and BIOSIS databases using OVID platform for English articles published between 2005 and 2021; and (ii) an unstructured search on websites of Google, Incidence and Prevalence Database, World Health Organization, and Malaysian Ministry of Health. Studies included in the semi systematic review were based on Malaysian patients aged ≥18 years at different journey stages for depression and publications from year 2005 to July 2021. Thesis abstracts, letters to the editor, editorials, and case studies, or articles representing smaller population subgroups were excluded. Three articles out of 1062 retrievals through structured search and two articles out of four retrievals through the unstructured search were included in the final synthesis. We have found that the prevalence of major depressive disease (2.3%), low initial screening (20%), diagnosis (50% to 60%) and adherence (30% to 40%), despite high awareness (76.9%) and initiation of treatment (75.3%). Low education level, ethnicity, stigma regarding mental health, and irrational prescription pattern of primary care physicians were associated with poor mental health help-seeking behaviour. Depression literacy can improve the help-seeking behaviour of the patients.

Self-Efficacy and Mental Health Help-Seeking Behavior of World Trade Center Health Registry Enrollees, 2015-2016.

The September 11th World Trade Center (WTC) disaster resulted in an elevated prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among those directly exposed, yet lower than expected rates of mental health treatment seeking and high levels of reported perceived unmet mental healthcare need were observed in this population in the years following. Self-efficacy, an individual’s self-perception of their ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task or goal, may in part explain this discrepancy; however, little is known about its interplay with the help-seeking behaviors of disaster-exposed populations. We used WTC Health Registry data (n = 11,851) to describe the relationship between self-efficacy and three outcomes related to help-seeking behavior: (1) seeking mental health treatment, (2) perceived unmet mental health care needs, and (3) satisfaction with mental health treatment. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). We found a dose-response relationship between self-efficacy score and mental health help-seeking: for every one unit increase in self-efficacy score, we observed a 6% increase in the odds of having treatment 4 to 12 months ago (OR = 1.06, CI: 1.03–1.09), a 7% increase in the odds of having had treatment 1 to 2 years ago (OR = 1.07, CI: 1.04, 1.09), and a 10% increase in the odds of having sought treatment 2 or more years ago (OR = 1.10, CI: 1.08, 1.12) compared to those who had sought treatment more recently. An understanding of individual self-efficacy may help improve post-disaster mental health treatment in order to provide more tailored and helpful care.

Mental Health Care Access and Individual Help-Seeking During the Covid-19 Pandemic.

The UJA Covid-19 Jewish Impact Study constitutes a random sample of 4403 adults in Jewish households in the New York area. Collected between February and May 2021, the data include symptoms of depression and anxiety and the use of professional help. Via respondents’ zip code tabulation areas (ZCTAs), these data are linked to contextual measures of mental health care access from two data sources: the SAMHSA Locator on specialty community treatment clinics, and the Zip Code Business Patterns database on solo and small group practices. Both treatment facilities and office practices are added to multilevel logistic regression models as density rates (per 10,000 people) and as binary indicators of presence. While we find no meaningful relationship between the general presence of mental health care services and help-seeking behavior, the ZCTA-level density of office practices is significantly associated with service utilization among the socially isolated, foreign-born and Hispanics or non-white respondents.

Facilitators and barriers of mental health help-seeking behaviours among adolescents in Oman: a cross-sectional study

Objectives This study aimed to explore and identify facilitators and barriers to help-seeking behaviours among adolescents in Oman, by exploring the relationship between knowledge, attitude, and behaviour towards mental health help-seeking. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was used and 424 adolescents were recruited to participate in the study. Participants were asked to complete five self-reported questionnaires, including two open-ended questions about the main motivations and barriers to seeking professional help for mental problems. Results It was found that those with positive help-seeking attitudes towards mental health were more knowledgeable about mental health, had more positive attitudes towards mental illness, and had higher intention to help seeking. On the contrary, those with higher help-seeker stereotypes had more negative attitudes towards mental illness. Having an adequate support system, being positive and knowledgeable about mental illness, and the reputation of mental health are the main factors facilitating seeking professional help. However, fear, lack of family support, and the time-consuming procedures were the main barriers emerging from the open-ended questions. Conclusions This study contributes by identifying facilitating factors as well as barriers in an Arabic context (Oman) to fill the exiting knowledge gap; both need to be considered when planning interventions targeting the younger individuals in this society.