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Stunden C, Zasada J, VanHeerwaarden N, Hollenberg E, Abi-Jaoude A, Chaim G, Cleverley K, Henderson J, Johnson A, Levinson A, Lo B, Robb J, Shi J, Voineskos A, Wiljer D
Help-Seeking Behaviors of Transition-Aged Youth for Mental Health Concerns: Qualitative Study
“It’s still taboo”: Help-seeking behaviors of transition-aged youth for mental health concerns – a qualitative study
Chelsea Stunden;
Julie Zasada;
Nicole VanHeerwaarden;
Elisa Hollenberg;
Alexxa Abi-Jaoude;
Gloria Chaim;
Kristin Cleverley;
Joanna Henderson;
Andrew Johnson;
Andrea Levinson;
Brian Lo;
Janine Robb;
Jenny Shi;
Aristotle Voineskos;
David Wiljer
ABSTRACT
Background:
Transition-aged youth are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems, yet they are one of the least likely demographic groups to seek help.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to explore influences on and patterns in help-seeking for mental health concerns among transition-aged youth who attend post-secondary school in Canada.
Methods:
A qualitative research design was used, involving 11 semi-structured focus groups with transition-aged youth (17–29 years) attending Canadian post-secondary schools. Thematic analysis was conducted to code the transcripts and develop themes.
Results:
Four main themes and sub-themes regarding the process and experience of help-seeking emerged: (1) the influence of formal service providers (accessibility; experiences); (2) the influence of social factors (system navigation; stigma); (3) the influence of health literacy (symptom recognition; acting on symptoms; digital tools and the internet; mental health awareness campaigns); and (4) the influence of low-intensity sources of support, namely self-help.
Conclusions:
Transition-aged youth seek help for mental health problems in different ways. Despite efforts to improve access to mental health services, transition-aged youth continue to face barriers to accessing these services, especially formal sources of support. Factors identified in this study that either hinder or facilitate help-seeking have pragmatic implications for developing help-seeking interventions and delivering mental health services for this population. In addition to other facilitators, family physicians are an important resource in the help-seeking process. Moreover, digital help-seeking tools have unique characteristics that may make these tools an important source of support for transition-aged youth.
Citation
Please cite as:
Stunden C, Zasada J, VanHeerwaarden N, Hollenberg E, Abi-Jaoude A, Chaim G, Cleverley K, Henderson J, Johnson A, Levinson A, Lo B, Robb J, Shi J, Voineskos A, Wiljer D
Help-Seeking Behaviors of Transition-Aged Youth for Mental Health Concerns: Qualitative Study