Professional Psychological Help Research Articles

Pengaruh Perceived Public Stigma terhadap Sikap Mencari Bantuan Profesional Psikologis pada Mahasiswa

Students are a group that is vulnerable to experiencing mental health problems. This is because they are in a transition period towards adulthood which is one of the most stressful times in human life. However, not all students are able to face all changes in life so that every human being needs a coping to deal with the problems they experience. One of the best coping to do is to seek professional psychological help. In this study, the influence of perceived public stigma to attitudes towards professional help seeking will be tested. This research method is quantitative with a linear regression research design. The subjects in this study were 115 students of Padang State University who had psychological problems. The research data were analyzed using SPSS 25 with a simple linear regression hypothesis test. The results of this study are that there is a significant influence of perceived public stigma on the attitude of seeking professional psychological help (F = 21.573; sig = 0.000) with an influence of 16% (R Square = 0.16).

Social Anxiety in Adolescents: An Analysis of the Psychological Influence Mechanism of Social Media Use

With the rapid progress of Internet technology, social media has become an indispensable part of the daily life of contemporary teenagers, which has a profound impact on their social habits, information acquisition methods and psychological development tracks. This paper explores the psychological mechanism of social anxiety in adolescents using social media, aiming to reveal how social media exerts a profound influence on social behavior, psychological cognition and emotional state of adolescents through various complex ways.The features of social media, such as convenience, interaction, anonymity and visualization, together constitute the basic environment for teenagers to use social media. They have many impacts on teenagers, including positive aspects such as the expansion of social circle, the convenience of information acquisition and the realization of self-expression, and may also bring negative impacts, especially social anxiety. This paper makes an in-depth analysis from multiple dimensions. On the one hand, the phenomenon of social comparison on social media is widespread, and teenagers are prone to inappropriate self-evaluation and feelings of inferiority when browsing the life fragments carefully selected and displayed by others, which will trigger social anxiety. On the other hand, there is also the ever-present threat of cyberbullying and harassment, and these negative experiences pose a serious threat to adolescents' mental health and exacerbate their symptoms of social anxiety. In addition, the increase of information overload and cognitive burden, addiction and dependence on social media are also important factors leading to social anxiety among adolescents. From the family, school and social level, it is necessary to strengthen the education and guidance of young people, help them establish the correct concept of social media use, set a reasonable time to use, encourage physical social activities, and cultivate self-esteem and self-confidence. At the same time, for adolescents with social anxiety symptoms, professional psychological help should be sought in time to alleviate their anxiety and promote their mental health development.

Exploring South African Indian men's understanding of depression.

Depression is reported as one of the most common mental disorders. Research on Indian men's understandings of depression is limited. The authors aimed to explore South African Indian men's understanding of depression in a community, and how this guides help-seeking behaviour. Community dwelling participants in Gauteng, South Africa. An exploratory qualitative design was employed and a purposive sampling method was used to recruit participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven Indian adult men and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of this study yielded a total of six themes. These included understanding of depression, depression is taboo, diverging gender role expectations and depression, help-seeking behaviour, barriers to help-seeking, and mental health community support. The findings suggest a lack of understanding and awareness of depression among participants and discussions around mental illness being regarded as taboo. Gender roles and societal expectations were considered as one of the contributors to depression onset. Coping and help-seeking behaviour included adaptive and maladaptive coping mechanisms with professional psychological help being least prioritised. Self-stigmatisation and fear of discrimination were highlighted as barriers to help-seeking behaviours. This study contributed to the limited body of knowledge on understanding of depression among Indian men in South Africa and highlighted the importance of mental health awareness campaigns and professional help-seeking behaviour.

What Determines Healthcare Workers to Seek Professional Psychological Support? A Cross-Sectional Study.

Although healthcare workers often experience significant mental health challenges, their willingness to seek professional psychological help remains relatively low. However, the factors associated with healthcare workers' psychological help-seeking remain unclear. This study aims to identify the determinants of professional psychological help-seeking intention among healthcare workers based on the theory of planned behaviour. Cross-sectional study. A questionnaire, incorporating demographic information and latent variable items, was developed and employed on 403 healthcare workers through online and offline surveys from December 2022 to January 2023 using convenience sampling. Structural equation modelling was applied to test the research hypotheses. The model explained 46.9% of the variance in help-seeking intention. Subjective norm had the strongest total association with help-seeking intention. Attitude towards help-seeking behaviour, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control were directly positively related to help-seeking intention. Moreover, self-stigma, public stigma, perceived barriers and perceived risk were indirectly associated with help-seeking intention mediated by attitude towards the behaviour and perceived behavioural control. Of the four constructs, public stigma showed the most significant indirect relation to behavioural intention. Healthcare workers' intention to seek psychological support is associated with multiple interacting factors, particularly subjective norm and public stigma. Targeted interventions addressing individual and systemic barriers are essential to create a supportive environment for healthcare workers to access mental health services. This study identified key barriers and facilitators to healthcare workers seeking psychological support, which can assist authorities in enhancing mental health services and implementing tailored intervention strategies, thereby promoting help-seeking behaviour among healthcare workers. Moreover, our research reinforces the applicability of the theory of planned behaviour in explaining healthcare workers' intention to seek professional psychological support. No patient or public contribution.

Academic stress and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help among Vietnamese students: the mediating role of emotional intelligence

BackgroundEmotional Intelligence is a noteworthy concept in the academic environment due to its theoretical significance and practical implications. The objectives of this research were to investigate (1) the correlation between academic stress, attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help and emotional intelligence, and (2) the mediating role of emotional intelligence.MethodsAn online questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of 908 Vietnamese secondary school students. Three scales were employed to gather demographic variables and self-reported data, including The Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale, The Educational Stress Scale for Adolescents, and Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help.ResultsThe findings indicated substantial differences across many variables, such as gender, grade, and academic performance ranking. The investigation identified significant relationships, including the emotional intelligence of others’ emotion appraisal positively affects self-expectation, while self-emotion appraisal negatively influences self-expectation. The use of emotion was positively associated with the openness to seeking professional help. Moderation analyses revealed age moderating others’ emotion appraisal and despondency, self-emotion appraisal, and openness to seeking professional help.ConclusionEmotional intelligence exerts a substantial influence on both academic stress levels and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological assistance. The results are analysed using the guidelines for conducting mixed-methods research. Workshops and awareness sessions for educators and students on emotional intelligence can be conducted with the cooperation of all parties concerned because of the endorsement of all stakeholders.

Barriers to professional psychological help among pregnant women in China: a qualitative study

BackgroundPregnant women face significant physiological and psychological stressors, which can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Despite the importance of professional psychological assistance, many pregnant women in China do not seek help due to various barriers. This study aims to explore the experiences and challenges of pregnant women in seeking psychological help in China through qualitative methods.MethodsPurposive sampling was employed to select 20 pregnant women from a Class III Type A hospital in Hainan. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted from July to August 2023, focusing on psychological states, help-seeking experiences, encountered challenges, and suggestions for improving psychological support. Colaizzi’s 7-step method was used to synthesize the themes.ResultsWe distilled five themes: (1) Psychological conditions during pregnancy, which includes stress and emotional fluctuations and anticipations of postpartum challenges; (2) Barriers to seeking help, underscored by societal misconceptions, limited professional access, and varied familial support; (3) Sources of psychological stress, highlighting physical changes, familial and work pressures, and societal expectations; (4) Expectations for psychological assistance, emphasizing the need for professional understanding and societal awareness; (5) Impact of psychological issues on daily life, such as decreased work efficiency and affected social activities.ConclusionPregnant women in China confront significant psychological stress and face multiple barriers in accessing help. There is an urgent need for personalized and professional psychological services for pregnant women. Addressing barriers such as societal stigma and poor accessibility, along with increasing public awareness and improving mental health services, is crucial. These findings provide a foundation for developing effective psychological support strategies aimed at enhancing the mental health of pregnant women in China.

Suicide Literacy and Attitudes Toward Seeking Psychological Help among Medical Residents.

This study investigates suicide literacy, help-seeking attitudes, and related factors among medical residents. The study utilized a cross-sectional design and included all medical residents in Kerman University of Medical Sciences in 2023‒2024. We obtained demographic information, psychiatric history, and administered questionnaires about literacy of suicide (LOSS) and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help (ATSPPH-SF). A total of 157 residents with a mean age of 28.97±2.55 years participated. The prevalence of any psychiatric history was 17.83% (95% CI: 12.1‒23.56). Notably, more educated males displayed higher suicidal literacy (95% CI: 0.231‒0.567, P=0.032), while there was no significant difference in help-seeking attitudes between genders (P=0.755). Surgical residents scored lower than non-surgical specialties like pediatrics (mean difference=2.63, 95% CI: 0.23-5.03, P=0.023, effect size d=0.589). Older age positively correlated with help-seeking attitudes (r=0.158, P=0.049). Additionally, marital status, residency level, history of psychiatric illnesses and their types, previous use of psychiatric medications, and history of self-harm or suicide had no significant impact on suicide literacy scores or attitude toward help-seeking. A moderate association (r=0.367) was found between the suicide literacy and help-seeking attitude questionnaire scores. Despite relatively high suicide literacy, medical residents displayed average help-seeking attitudes, positioning them as a high-risk group. Urgent interventions are needed to enhance awareness of the importance of psychological support and to reduce stress and work pressure, indirectly mitigating the risk of suicide in this vulnerable population.

Stigma of mental health and attitude towards psychological help-seeking behaviour among students of a health science institute in Karnataka: a cross-sectional study

Background: Mental health illnesses are becoming a prime cause of concern among young adults. Many individuals with mental disorders do not get the necessary health care. Objectives: To assess the attitude towards seeking professional psychological help and stigma of mental illness among the students of a health science institute, to assess the association between stigma and attitude towards seeking psychological help with select socio demographic variables and to determine the correlation between attitude towards seeking professional psychological help and stigma of mental illness. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 215 students in Karnataka. The study tool consisted of questionnaires on socio-demographic profile and two sets of validated scales (Attitude Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale and Perceived Devaluation Discrimination Scale). Results: The study showed males had more positive attitude towards seeking professional psychological help than females. Individuals with history of present/past illness were more open towards seeking professional psychological help. Pearson correlation test between ATSPPHS and PDDS showed a negative correlation. Conclusions: Psychological help seeking attitude needs to be improved among the students. Educational institutes need to incorporate mental health awareness and stigma reduction program in their curriculum.

Factors Affecting College Students’ Intention to Seek Professional Psychological Help: Focused on the Theory of Planned Behavior

Purpose: To identify influences and pathways on college students’ intentions to seek professional pyschological help, focusing on the theory of planned behavior.Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted using a structured questionnaire. The study sample comprised 428 college students who were attending a 4-year university located in Seoul and Gyeonggi, Korea. Collected data were checked through path analysis using SPSS 25.0 and AMOS 20.0.Results: Factors that directly influenced college students’ professional psychological help-seeking intentions significantly were attitude toward seeking professional help and perceived behavioral control. Subjective norms and self-stigma indirectly affected the intention to seek professional help for psychological problems, mediated by the attitude toward seeking professional help. These variables were found to explain 11.2% of college students’ intention to seek professional psychological help. Variables that directly influenced college students’attitudes toward seeking professional help were subjective norms and self-stigma. These variables were found to explain 32.3% of college students’ attitudes toward seeking professional help.Conclusion: It is necessary to have a positive attitude toward pursuing professional psychological help in nursing interventions to increase college students’intention to seek professional help for psychological problems.

Who's willing to lay on the virtual couch? Attitudes, anthropomorphism and need for human interaction as factors of intentions to use chatbots for psychotherapy

AbstractBackgroundThe rising demand for psychotherapy exceeds therapist availability, often due to financial or physical proximity constraints. Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly through chatbots, presents a promising solution, having shown efficacy in enhancing mental health.AimsThis study investigated the psychotherapeutic relationship in the context of using chatbots for psychotherapy, in which the intimate and emotionally involving nature of the relationship might render the need for human interaction a strong deterrent to people's acceptance of anthropomorphised chatbots.MethodsThis study included four hundred ninety‐four participants, aged 15 to 69 years (M = 22.77; SD = 8.43); 75.1% of them were females. They completed scales that measure attitudes towards the use of chatbots in psychotherapy, AI and seeking professional psychological help, need for human interaction in psychotherapy, importance of anthropomorphic qualities and intentions to use chatbots in psychotherapy.ResultsIndividuals' engagement in using chatbots in psychotherapy is related to their attitudes towards chatbots and towards AI in general, not only to the importance that they place on chatbots having anthropomorphic traits, but also to the strength of their needs for human interaction in the psychotherapeutic relationship.ConclusionTechnology can enhance the psychotherapeutic process, but should not replace therapists entirely for people who seek psychological assistance.

A Descriptive Study on Attitudes toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help among Emerging Adults in a K-pop Fan Community

Emerging adulthood is a transition period between adolescence and adulthood, where most psychological disorders occur. Emerging adults with K-pop music preferences could also join a fan community, which brings benefits and vulnerability toward mental health because of the dynamics among fans and artists. Hence, emerging adults with mental health problems are suggested to seek a professional to get the appropriate treatment. This study aims to describe the attitude towards psychological professional help. Using the Indonesian ATSPPH-SF as the main instrument, 156 participants from a K-Pop fan community participated voluntarily. The result indicated that most participants had moderate attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help. There was no significant difference in help-seeking attitude by mental health information and visiting professional help. This study implies the importance of better education about help-seeking by introducing mental health professionals to the K-pop fan community. Future studies may consider gathering extensive data from many K-pop fan communities in Indonesia

The stigma towards seeking help among university students: a cross-sectional study in Jordan

BackgroundMental disorders affect one in two people globally, with COVID-19 exacerbating anxiety and depression. Stigma, a major hindrance to seeking mental health services, manifests as public, perceived, and self-stigma. Cultural misconceptions contribute to public stigma. Studies show high stigmatization among university students, impacting help-seeking behavior. Arab populations exhibit varied attitudes influenced by religious beliefs. The research aims to bridge gaps in understanding stigma among university students in Jordan, focusing on the impact of post post-COVID-19 era on mental health perceptions. The study hypothesizes differences in attitudes and stigma between medical and non-medical students, investigating these aspects in Jordan.MethodsA cross-sectional study assessed attitudes and stigma related to seeking help among 1,151 university students in Jordan from June 20th to July 20th, 2023. The sample included diverse participants from Jordanian universities. Data were collected through an online survey covering sociodemographic details, psychological background, and attitudes using the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale (ATSPPH). Ethical considerations included approval from the University of Jordan Institutional Review Board and informed consent from participants.ResultsThe survey included 1151 participants. The overall mean age was 20.34 years. Among the participants, 761 (66.1%) were medical students, while 390 (33.9%) were non-medical students. The overall mean ATSPPHS score was 16.30. Medical students exhibited a significantly more positive attitude (73.3%) compared to non-medical students (26.7%). Being a medical student was associated with higher odds of having a positive attitude while being male was found to be a negative predictor.ConclusionFindings revealed that being a medical student and having prior mental health education were linked to more favorable attitudes, whereas male students tended to hold more negative views. Incorporating mental health education into non-medical curricula could be beneficial in diminishing stigma and fostering positive attitudes toward seeking help.

Gender differences in attitudes towards psychological help-seeking among chinese medical students: a comparative analysis

BackgroundMedical students are known to be at a greater risk of psychological disorders compared to the general population. However, their rate of help-seeking behavior is low. The purpose of this study was to explore the influencing factors of attitudes towards psychological help-seeking among Chinese medical students and to examine its gender differences.MethodsA total of 3,453 medical students from three medical colleges in Hainan Province, China, completed anonymous questionnaires that included socio-demographic attributes, the Family APGAR Index, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-20), and the Attitudes Towards Seeking Professional Psychological Help Short Form (ATSPPH-SF). Associations between predictor variables and attitudes towards help-seeking were explored using multivariate linear regression, and regression models with interaction terms were employed to test gender difference.ResultsThe mean score on ATSPPH-SF Scale was 15.04 ± 3.45, with males scoring significantly lower than females (14.34 vs. 15.64, P < 0.0001). For both male and female groups, psych knowledge, mental health status, family function and help-seeking utility perception significantly influenced attitudes toward psychological help-seeking. Furthermore, having more than once psycho-help experiences was positively correlated with women’s attitudes. Significant interactions were found between gender and mental health status.ConclusionAttitude towards seeking psychological help was relatively negative among Chinese medical students. The implementation of interventions should take into account the at-risk population, especially the males and individuals with poor mental health.

Breaking Barriers: Unraveling the Connection between Mental Health Literacy, Attitudes towards Mental Illness, and Self-Stigma of Psychological Help-Seeking in University Students

Despite the high prevalence of mental health difficulties during the period of emerging adulthood and the availability of mental health resources, young adults are reluctant to seek professional psychological help. A significant contributor to this treatment gap is the inadequate levels of mental health literacy (MHL). The present study aimed to investigate the association between MHL with attitudes toward mental illness and the self-stigma of seeking psychological treatment among university students. The sample consisted of 485 university students (24.5% males, 75.5% females) with a mean age of 19.54 years (SD = 1.45) drawn from a regional university in Greece. MHL, attitudes towards severe mental illness, and self-stigma of help-seeking were assessed using the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS), the Attitudes towards Severe Mental Illness (ASMI), and the Self-Stigma of Seeking Help Scale (SSOSH), respectively. MHLS was positively correlated with three out of four subscales of ASMI, namely stereotyping, optimism, and coping, and negatively related to SSOSH. Multivariate linear regression analysis adjusting for various confounders showed that students with higher MHL were more likely to report non-stigmatizing attitudes towards mental illness and lower self-stigma of help-seeking from mental health professionals. According to our findings, higher MHL was related to more positive views regarding mental illness and lower self-stigma of help-seeking. To lessen the self-stigma of seeking professional help, MHL must be addressed as an important component of psychoeducational interventions at universities aiming to support students’ help-seeking intentions and practices.

Stigma and its influencing factors for seeking professional psychological help among pregnant women: A cross-sectional study

Although the stigma associated with seeking professional psychological help has received significant attention, few studies have focused on the status and factors influencing this stigma among pregnant women, especially those with a Chinese cultural background. This study aimed to assess the status of stigma associated with seeking professional psychological help and its influencing factors. A total of 1325 pregnant women were recruited from Hunan Province, China. The Stigma for Seeking Professional Psychological Help questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Perceived Social Support Scale, Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, and questionnaires on sociodemographic characteristics and pregnancy-related information were used. Descriptive, univariate, correlation, and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to investigate the status of stigma and identify its influencing factors. Pregnant Chinese women experienced a mild to moderate level of stigma associated with seeking professional psychological help, and self-stigma was more common than social stigma associated with seeking psychological help. The results of the multivariate analysis suggested that perceived social support, positive coping styles, negative coping styles, and depressive symptoms were the factors influencing self-stigma and social stigma associated with seeking professional psychological help. Advanced age and a low educational level were the only predictors associated with self-stigma, while a history of multiple pregnancies had an effect only on social stigma associated with seeking professional psychological help. Chinese pregnant women experienced a mild to moderate level of stigma associated with seeking professional psychological help. Destigmatizing interventions focusing on self-stigma and social stigma should be designed according to maternal characteristics, social support, coping style, and depressive symptoms.

Mental Health Literacy and Attitude Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Among Iranian Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Considering the rising prevalence of mental health issues among older adults and potential barriers to treatment seeking, investigating mental health literacy and attitudes toward professional psychological services in this demographic is crucial for enhancing access to care and fostering psychological well-being. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the association between mental health literacy (MHL) and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help (ATSPPH) among older adults attending health centers in Amol, Mazandaran, Iran, in 2023. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 128 older adults attending health centers in Amol, Mazandaran, Iran, in 2023. Participants were selected using cluster random sampling and completed research instruments including O'Connor and Casey's Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS) and the short form of Attitude Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help (ATSPPH-S). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson's correlation coefficient in SPSS 24 software. Results: The Pearson correlation coefficient revealed a positive and significant relationship between older adults' level of MHL and their ATSPPH (r = 0.28, P &lt; 0.05). Tukey's post hoc test indicated a significant association between older adults' MHL and their educational level. Additionally, independent t-test results demonstrated a significant correlation between ATSPPH and gender as well as the history of visiting a psychologist or psychiatrist (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: The study findings suggest that higher levels of MHL among older adults are associated with an increased willingness to seek professional psychological help. Therefore, initiatives aimed at enhancing MHL through education and promotion may play a vital role in encouraging older adults to seek appropriate support.

Treble or Trouble: Mental Health Experiences of Gender-Diverse Collegiate Marching Band Artists.

For gender-diverse (GD) college marching band (MB) artists, the risks for anxiety and depression may be higher as they navigate the demands and stressors associated with MB, college, and their gender identity. To examine the risks of anxiety and depression across GD MB artists and to explore their barriers and attitudes toward seeking mental health (MH) care. Cross-sectional study. Online survey. Seventy-eight GD individuals (transgender = 12, nonbinary = 66, age = 19 ± 1 years). A survey was used to assess demographics, anxiety risk using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, depression risk using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and barriers and attitudes using the Barriers Towards Seeking Help Checklist, the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale-Short Form, and the Mental Help Seeking Attitudes Scale. We calculated descriptive statistics and univariate analyses to evaluate scores, risks, and differences between MH and receiving assistance. Participants had high state anxiety (mean = 52.0 ± 112.1), trait anxiety (mean = 55.2 ± 10.0), and symptoms of depression (mean = 30.4 ± 12.0) based on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Overall, 78.2% (n = 61 of 78) of GD MB artists were considered at risk for both state and trait anxiety and depression, and 18% (n = 11 of 61) did not seek help from an MH professional. These GD MB artists cited a lack of time (82.1%; n = 64 of 78) as the primary barrier to seeking professional help. The mean score on the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale-Short Form for all GD artists was 19.5 ± 5.0, and the total score for the Mental Help Seeking Attitudes Scale was 47.8 ± 9.2, which indicated more favorable attitudes toward seeking professional help. We identified high rates of clinical symptoms for depression and anxiety among GD MB artists. The data are consistent with those from other minority populations and above the normative values for cisgender students. The lack of help-seeking behaviors in nearly 15% of at-risk participants highlights the need for specialized resources for GD patients and those participating in MB.

Attitudes towards seeking psychological help among community dwelling older adults enrolled in primary care in Chile

BackgroundDepression and anxiety are common mental disorders among older adults, but they are frequently underdiagnosed. Attitudes towards seeking professional mental health care is one of the barriers to access to treatment. This study was aimed at assessing the attitudes towards seeking psychological help among older adults who are enrolled in primary care in Chile, and to determine the associated factors.MethodsThis cross-sectional study recruited 233 primary care users aged 65 or more years. The Attitudes Towards Seeking Professional Psychological Help was used. Reliability and factor analysis of this scale were carried out. The average scores of the scale and factors were calculated and compared, by selected variables. Multivariate linear regression was estimated to determine factors associated with attitudes towards seeking psychological help.ResultsThree factors were identified in the attitudes towards seeking psychological help: confidence in psychologists, coping alone with emotional problems, and predisposition to seek psychological help. On average, participants had a favorable attitude towards seeking psychological help, compared with previous research. Lower level of education, and risk of social isolation were inversely associated with these attitudes.ConclusionStrategies to improve mental health literacy and social connection among older adults, could have an impact on factors that mediate the access to mental health care, such as attitudes towards seeking psychological help, among people who have a lower level of education or are at risk of social isolation.

Psychological Distress and Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help among Transwomen in Indonesia

Transwomen are one of the minority groups in Indonesia vulnerable to a high level of psychological distress. The level of psychological distress can indicate the need to seek psychological help. The most basic component of seeking help is attitude. Without a positive attitude, individuals are less likely to have the intention of seeking help and do seeking help. This study aimed to investigate the level of psychological distress, attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help, and the relationship between symptoms of psychological distress with attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help in 117 samples of transwomen in Indonesia. Results indicated that 72% of participants were classified as having a high level of psychological distress. A negative association between anxiety symptoms and psychological openness indicated that the more symptoms of anxiety that participants were experiencing, the less likely they were to open up about their psychological problems.

Visitor characteristics and changes in mental health stigma after attending the Mind Space mental health experience exhibition.

Mind Space is an experiential mental health exhibition in Hong Kong, aiming to raise public awareness and provide education regarding mental health. This prepost study aimed to 1) examine the relationships between visitors' characteristics and their mental health stigma at baseline, and 2) provide a preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness of Mind Space in reducing stigma and promoting help-seeking attitudes toward mental health conditions. We analyzed data from all consenting visitors who attended Mind Space between September 2019 and December 2021. Visitors' attitudes toward mental health conditions and their willingness to seek professional psychological help were measured through online questionnaires before and after visits. Multiple linear regression was used to identify the demographic predictors of outcome variables at baseline. Changes in outcome variables after attending Mind Space were assessed using paired sample t-tests. A total of 382 visitors completed the baseline questionnaires, among which 146 also completed the post-test. At baseline, higher socioeconomic levels and personal contact with people with mental health conditions predicted more positive attitudes and understanding toward mental disorders. Tentatively, the results also showed that after attending Mind Space, a significant reduction in negative attitudes about mental illness (t=4.36, p=<.001; d=.361) and improvements in the propensity to seek professional help (t=-5.20, p<.001; d=-.430) were observed, along with decreases in negative attitudes toward stereotypes (t=4.71, p=<.001; d=.421) and restrictions (t=2.29, p=.024; d=.205) among healthcare professionals. Our findings highlight the need for mental health education for people with lower socioeconomic status and the importance of direct contact in public mental health education initiatives. The present study also suggests that Mind Space may be a useful model for public mental health education, but the exhibition requires further evaluation to ascertain if any reductions in stigma are maintained over time.