Identifying barriers to mental health help-seeking among young adults in the UK: a cross-sectional survey.
BACKGROUND
Despite the high prevalence and burden of mental health problems among young people, studies have suggested that they infrequently seek professional help. Understanding the barriers to help-seeking is an important step towards facilitating early access to mental health services and improving psychological wellbeing.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate why young adults may choose not to seek any support for an emotional or mental health difficulty.


METHODS
A cross-sectional online survey of young adults aged 18-25 from the general UK population.


METHODS
The survey consisted of an anonymous questionnaire that measured psychological distress, help-seeking preferences, and barriers to accessing help, which included the Barriers to Access to Care Evaluation (BACE) scale and an open-ended question to explore reasons for not seeking help in the past. Qualitative feedback was analysed using thematic analysis.


RESULTS
Overall, 35% of participants (n = 45) who reported having an emotional or mental health difficulty did not seek any formal or informal help. The thematic analysis revealed that stigmatising beliefs, difficulty identifying or expressing concerns, a preference for self-reliance, and difficulty accessing help were prominent barrier themes among responders.


CONCLUSIONS
Young adults experiencing psychological distress may struggle to access help from others. Stigma and negative perceptions surrounding mental health and help-seeking may explain why young people are reluctant to approach others for help. Improving public awareness of the services and resources that are available, as well as screening for psychological distress in primary care services, may be necessary to improve mental wellbeing among young adults.
Psychology and Sports Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield.
Keziban
K
Salaheddin
Psychology and Sports Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield.
Barbara
B
Mason
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000066505:Help-Seeking Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D057545:Social Stigma; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
health services accessibility; help-seeking behaviour; mental health; primary health care; young adults
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