Healthy minds for country youth: help-seeking for depression among rural adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To assess depression recognition, barriers to accessing help from health professionals and potential sources of help for depression among rural adolescents.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Two rural secondary schools in south-east South Australia.


METHODS
Seventy-four secondary school students aged 14 to 16 years.


METHODS
Depression recognition was measured using a depression vignette. Helpfulness of professionals, barriers to seeking help and help-seeking behaviours for depression were assessed by self-report questionnaire.


RESULTS
Depression was identified in the vignette by 73% (n = 54) of participants. Participants indicated that it would be more helpful for the vignette character to see other health professionals (98.6%, 95% CI, 92.0-100.0%) than a doctor (82.4%, 72.1-89.6%). Barriers to seeking help from doctors and other health professionals were categorised into logistical and personal barriers. Participants agreed more strongly to personal (mean = 2.86) than logistical barriers (mean = 2.67, P < 0.05) for seeing a doctor. Boys and girls responded differently overall, and to personal barriers to seeing an other health professional. Sources of help were divided into three categories: formal, informal and external. Informal sources of help (mean = 4.02) were identified as more helpful than both formal (mean = 3.66) and external sources (mean = 3.72, P < 0.001). Gender differences were observed within and between the three sources of help categories.


CONCLUSIONS
Recognising symptoms of depression was demonstrated in this study. Helpfulness of professionals, barriers to seeking help and potential sources of help for depression were identified. More work is required for improving depression literacy and providing effective interventions specifically for rural adolescents.
Hernan
Andrea
A
Greater Green Triangle, University Department of Rural Health, Deakin University and Flinders University, Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia. andrea.hernan@greaterhealth.org
Philpot
Benjamin
B
Edmonds
Anne
A
Reddy
Prasuna
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D012424:Rural Population; D012574:Schools; D012649:Self Concept; D013021:South Australia; D013334:Students