YOUTH'S HELP-SEEKING BEHAVIOURS: A PROFESSIONAL INSIGHT TO THE USAGE OF COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Abstract

Research in the area of mental health has gained momentum over the past few years. However, the same cannot be said for youth mental health. This study, aimed at understanding youth’s help-seeking behaviours toward community mental health services, studied the factors influencing the help-seeking process through the perspectives of community-based professionals who have worked closely with youths who present mental health concerns. This study also surveyed professionals about the challenges they face in the administration or referral of their youth clients to mental health services. Semi structured interviews were employed with 10 practitioners who have had at least one year of working experience with youths who present mental health concerns of any degree. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to identify information-rich themes for discussion. The study found three major facilitators: therapeutic relationship, low to no cost of services, and visibility of services; as well as two major barriers to youths’ help-seeking process: limited knowledge of mental health services, and limits to confidentiality. The study also found three major challenges faced by practitioners which impacts the youth’s help-seeking behaviours: high volume of caseloads and limited manpower, lack of clarity of services among professionals, and longevity of practitioners. Findings from this study demonstrated consistency with previous literature regarding the facilitators and barriers that promote or hinder help-seeking among youths, highlighting the need for practitioners to engage in practice beyond case management to break down barriers and promote help-seeking.