Barriers and Enablers of Professional Help-Seeking for Common Mental Health Concerns: Perspectives of Distressed Non-Treatment Seeking Young Adults.

ABSTRACT

Despite a high prevalence of common mental health concerns, especially among young adults, majority of them do not seek professional help. This study explored perceived barriers and enablers of professional help-seeking for common mental health concerns among distressed non-treatment seeking young adults in the urban Indian context. The study utilized an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. A brief survey was conducted with distressed non-treatment seeking young adults (N=37) to assess their current distress level, duration, perceived severity, effect on functioning, self-help methods, past treatment history, inclination to seek help and barriers to professional help-seeking. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sub-sample of 10 participants to explore their perceived barriers and potential enablers of professional help-seeking. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and interviews using thematic analysis. The survey revealed significant distress for 75.7% (N=28) of the total sample. Out of these, 25% were either not inclined or had practical constraints to seek help. The mean score for inclination to seek help was highest for partner/friend (4.7). Qualitative findings have been discussed under personal and general barriers and enablers. This is the first study to highlight the complex interplay of barriers and enablers of professional help-seeking among distressed non-treatment seeking young adults in the urban Indian context. There is an urgent need to incorporate the factors that hinder and facilitate professional help-seeking while devising help-seeking interventions to reduce the treatment gap.