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Goodwin J, Savage E, O’Brien N, O’Donovan Á. "We're not educated on that enough, and we really should be": adolescents' views of mental health service education. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 2023; 18:2249287. [PMID: 37639463 PMCID: PMC10464535 DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2023.2249287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite the susceptibility to the experience of mental distress during adolescence, this population often demonstrate poor help-seeking behaviours. Efforts have been made by schools to address adolescents' knowledge around mental health; less focus has been given to addressing their knowledge of mental health services and avenues for help-seeking. This study aimed to explore adolescents' views of mental health services education. METHODS An interpretive descriptive design was adopted. Thirty adolescents from Ireland participated in individual interviews. Data were analysed using content analysis. TWO THEMES WERE IDENTIFIED Recognizing Gaps in Knowledge about Mental Health Service Education, and Enhancing Mental Health Service Education for Young People. Participants reported gaps in their knowledge about mental health services and were uncertain how to access help. Current strategies (e.g., print media) were considered tokenistic and ineffective; instead, multimedia (film/TV) approaches were recommended. RESULTS Two themes were identified: Recognizing Gaps in Knowledge about Mental HealthService Education, and Enhancing Mental Health Service Education for YoungPeople. Participants reported gaps in their knowledge about mental healthservices and were uncertain how to access help. Current strategies (e.g., print media) were considered tokenistic and ineffective; instead, multimedia (film/TV) approaches were recommended. CONCLUSIONS Current mental health education programmes need to expand their focus beyond social/emotional well-being, providing adolescents with the knowledge they need to access appropriate supports. Considering traditional print media was viewed as ineffective, while film/TV had an influence on perceptions of mental health services, a multimedia approach to education may be an effective way of engaging this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Goodwin
- Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Eileen Savage
- Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Niamh O’Brien
- Department of Education, South East Technological University, Waterford, Ireland
| | - Áine O’Donovan
- Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Lukoševičiūtė-Barauskienė J, Žemaitaitytė M, Šūmakarienė V, Šmigelskas K. Adolescent Perception of Mental Health: It's Not Only about Oneself, It's about Others Too. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1109. [PMID: 37508606 PMCID: PMC10378269 DOI: 10.3390/children10071109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Adolescents are at an increased risk of mental health problems due to the natural processes of development and maturation. Given that their mental health is mainly assessed by adults and not by the adolescents themselves, the purpose of this study is to reveal adolescents' perceptions of mental health. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted, and an inductive qualitative approach with thematic analysis was used. The qualitative study consisted of 19 adolescents aged 11-17 years. Five themes were identified: (1) What does mental health mean to you? (subthemes: realm of emotions, customary behavior, and relationships with others); (2) needs (subthemes: communication and support, self-expression and freedom of decision-making, and a safe and personal environment); (3) risk factors (subthemes: un-healthy relationships and social media dangers); (4) red flags (subthemes: self-exclusion from social life and self-destructive behavior); and (5) role of mental health professionals (subthemes: attentiveness to and proper pace for adolescent and acceptance of adolescent's life in its entirety). This study revealed that adolescents view their mental health not only from their own emotional and behavioral perspectives but also through the prism of relationships with other people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justė Lukoševičiūtė-Barauskienė
- Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Public Health, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
- Faculty of Public Health, Health, Research Institute, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Monika Žemaitaitytė
- Faculty of Public Health, Health, Research Institute, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Vaida Šūmakarienė
- Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Public Health, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
- Faculty of Public Health, Health, Research Institute, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Kastytis Šmigelskas
- Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Public Health, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
- Faculty of Public Health, Health, Research Institute, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-47181 Kaunas, Lithuania
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Snowdon N, Allan J, Shakeshaft A, Courtney RJ. "I didn't even know headspace had the drug thing until today": A socio-ecological analysis of access to drug and alcohol interventions in integrated youth health care services. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION TREATMENT 2023; 146:208959. [PMID: 36880903 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2023.208959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With 150 centers Australia-wide, the headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation is an exemplary integrated youth health service. Headspace centers provide medical care, mental health interventions, alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, and vocational support to Australian young people (YP) aged 12 to 25 years. Co-located headspace salaried youth workers, private health care practitioners (e.g. psychologists, psychiatrists, and medical practitioners) and in-kind community service providers (e.g. AOD clinicians) form coordinated multidisciplinary teams. This article aims to identify the factors influencing the access to AOD interventions for YP, in the Australian rural headspace setting; as perceived by YP, their family and friends, and headspace staff. METHODS The study purposively recruited YP (n = 16), their family and friends (n = 9), and headspace staff (n = 23) and management (n = 7) in four headspace centers in rural New South Wales, Australia. Recruited individuals participated in semistructured focus groups about the access to YP AOD interventions in the headspace setting. The study team thematically analyzed the data through the lens of the socio-ecological model. RESULTS The study identified convergent themes across groups and found several barriers to the access of AOD interventions; 1) YP's personal factors, 2) YP's family and peer attitudes, 3) practitioner skills, 4) organizational processes and 5) societal attitudes were all identified as negatively impacting access to YP AOD interventions. Practitioners' client-centered stance, and the youth-centric headspace model were factors that were considered as enablers of engagement of YP with an AOD concern. INTERPRETATION While this Australian example of an integrated youth health care model is well placed to provide YP AOD interventions, a mismatch existed between practitioner capability and YP needs. The sampled practitioners described limited AOD knowledge, and low confidence in providing AOD interventions. At the organizational level, multiple AOD intervention supply and utilization issues occurred. Taken together, these problems likely underlie previous findings of poor service utilization and low user satisfaction. CONCLUSION Clear enablers exist for AOD interventions to be better integrated into headspace services. Future work should determine how this integration can be achieved and what early intervention means in relation to AOD interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Snowdon
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, 22 - 32 King Street, The University of New South Wales, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia.
| | - Julaine Allan
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, 22 - 32 King Street, The University of New South Wales, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; School of Health and Society, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Anthony Shakeshaft
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, 22 - 32 King Street, The University of New South Wales, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia; Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, University of Queensland, 74 High St, Toowong, Queensland, 4066, Australia
| | - Ryan J Courtney
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, 22 - 32 King Street, The University of New South Wales, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
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Goodwin J, Savage E, O’Donovan A. “I Personally Wouldn’t Know Where to Go”: Adolescents’ Perceptions of Mental Health Services. JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENT RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/07435584221076056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of mental health services from the perspectives of adolescents with no prior service experience. Thirty students in the Transition Year (fourth year) of secondary school participated in this study: 22 females and 8 males, aged 15 to 16. There was equal distribution across rural and urban settings. Participants had no prior experience of accessing mental health services. Data were collected in secondary school settings in the Republic of Ireland. An interpretive description approach guided this study. Data were collected through individual interviews. To complement interviews, participants drew images of mental health care environments and mental health staff members; drawings were not subjected to analysis. Data (participant interviews) were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Three themes were identified. Participants suggested that “mental health services” differed from “psychiatric services,” with the latter term perceived more negatively. Uncertainty about how to access these services was voiced. Considering the vulnerability of adolescents to the experience of mental distress, education around mental health services is warranted. It is expected that provision of education in this area would enhance service delivery, improve adolescents’ help-seeking behaviors for mental distress, and reduce stigma.
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Marinucci A, Grové C, Allen KA. A Scoping Review and Analysis of Mental Health Literacy Interventions for Children and Youth. SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY REVIEW 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/2372966x.2021.2018918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Moen ØL, Jacobsen ICR. School Nurses’ Experiences in Dealing with Adolescents Having Mental Health Problems. SAGE Open Nurs 2022; 8:23779608221124411. [PMID: 36090541 PMCID: PMC9449503 DOI: 10.1177/23779608221124411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction An increased number of adolescents experience mental health problems. School nurses
have described spending more than 50% of their time working with mental health in
students. The lack of knowledge and necessary training to meet students’ mental health
needs has been described previously. School nurses have a responsibility to find and
guide those who need help with mental health problems. Objectives The aim of this study was, therefore, to explore school nurses’ experiences with mental
health and how they in this work identify, talk, and intervene with adolescents having
mental health problems. Methods A qualitative study was conducted with 21 school nurses using focus group interviews
which were analyzed by means of content analysis. Results Three descriptive categories emerged: Health-promoting or preventive approaches,
Enabling students to talk about feelings, and Collaborating partners. Conclusion School nurses highlight their mandate to work with health promotion and prevention but
also draw attention to their difficulties in identifying those who need help. School
nurses use their creativity, intuition, and knowledge but have difficulty identifying
those students who need help with mental health problems. They also highlight
collaboration with other professionals both in schools and in the health system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Øyfrid Larsen Moen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Institute of Health Sciences, Gjøvik, Norway
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway
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Radez J, Reardon T, Creswell C, Orchard F, Waite P. Adolescents' perceived barriers and facilitators to seeking and accessing professional help for anxiety and depressive disorders: a qualitative interview study. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2022; 31:891-907. [PMID: 33502596 PMCID: PMC9209355 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-020-01707-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety and depressive disorders are the most common mental health disorders in adolescents, yet only a minority of young people with these disorders access professional help. This study aims to address this treatment gap by improving our understanding of barriers and facilitators to seeking/accessing professional help as perceived by adolescents with anxiety/depressive disorders identified in the community. Twenty-two adolescents, aged 11-17 years, who met diagnostic criteria for a current anxiety and/or depressive disorder were identified through school-based screening. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted one-to-one with each adolescent and adolescents' parents were interviewed separately for the purpose of data triangulation. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. We identified four themes capturing adolescent perceived barriers and facilitators to seeking/accessing professional help for anxiety and depressive disorders: (1) making sense of difficulties, (2) problem disclosure, (3) ambivalence to seeking help, and (4) the instrumental role of others. Barriers/facilitators identified within each theme reflect important developmental characteristics of adolescence, such as a growing need for autonomy and concerns around negative social evaluation. At the same time, the results highlight adolescents' dependency on other people, mainly their parents and school staff, when it comes to successfully accessing professional help for their mental health difficulties. This study identifies a number of barriers/facilitators that influence help-seeking behaviour of adolescents with anxiety and/or depressive disorders. These factors need to be addressed when targeting treatment utilisation rates in this particular group of young people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerica Radez
- grid.9435.b0000 0004 0457 9566School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AL UK ,grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948The Oxford Institute of Clinical Psychology Training and Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX UK
| | - Tessa Reardon
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AL, UK. .,Departments of Experimental Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK.
| | - Cathy Creswell
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Departments of Experimental Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG UK
| | - Faith Orchard
- grid.12082.390000 0004 1936 7590School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9RH UK
| | - Polly Waite
- grid.9435.b0000 0004 0457 9566School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AL UK ,grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Departments of Experimental Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG UK
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Bjønness S, Grønnestad T, Storm M. I'm not a diagnosis: Adolescents' perspectives on user participation and shared decision-making in mental healthcare. Scand J Child Adolesc Psychiatr Psychol 2021; 8:139-148. [PMID: 33564630 PMCID: PMC7863730 DOI: 10.21307/sjcapp-2020-014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Adolescents have the right to be involved in decisions affecting their healthcare. More knowledge is needed to provide quality healthcare services that is both suitable for adolescents and in line with policy. Shared decision-making has the potential to combine user participation and evidence-based treatment. Research and governmental policies emphasize shared decision-making as key for high quality mental healthcare services. Objective: To explore adolescents’ experiences with user participation and shared decision-making in mental healthcare inpatient units. Method: We carried out ten in-depth interviews with adolescents (16-18 years old) in this qualitative study. The participants were admitted to four mental healthcare inpatient clinics in Norway. Transcribed interviews were subjected to qualitative content analysis. Results: Five themes were identified, representing the adolescents’ view of gaining trust, getting help, being understood, being diagnosed and labeled, being pushed, and making a customized treatment plan. Psychoeducational information, mutual trust, and a therapeutic relationship between patients and therapists were considered prerequisites for shared decision-making. For adolescents to be labeled with a diagnosis or forced into a treatment regimen that they did not initiate or control tended to elicit strong resistance. User involvement at admission, participation in the treatment plan, individualized treatment, and collaboration among healthcare professionals were emphasized. Conclusions: Routines for participation and involvement of adolescents prior to inpatient admission is recommended. Shared decision-making has the potential to increase adolescents’ engagement and reduce the incidence of involuntary treatment and re-admission to inpatient clinics. In this study, shared decision-making is linked to empowerment and less to standardized decision tools. To be labeled and dominated by healthcare professionals can be a barrier to adolescents’ participation in treatment. We suggest placing less emphasis on diagnoses and more on individualized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stig Bjønness
- Centre for Resilience in Healthcare, Faculty of Health Science, University of Stavanger, Norway.,Department of Psychiatry, Stavanger University Hospital, Norway
| | - Trond Grønnestad
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Science, University of Stavanger, Norway
| | - Marianne Storm
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Science, University of Stavanger, Norway
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Radez J, Reardon T, Creswell C, Lawrence PJ, Evdoka-Burton G, Waite P. Why do children and adolescents (not) seek and access professional help for their mental health problems? A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2021; 30:183-211. [PMID: 31965309 PMCID: PMC7932953 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-019-01469-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 273] [Impact Index Per Article: 91.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Mental health disorders in children and adolescents are highly prevalent yet undertreated. A detailed understanding of the reasons for not seeking or accessing help as perceived by young people is crucial to address this gap. We conducted a systematic review (PROSPERO 42018088591) of quantitative and qualitative studies reporting barriers and facilitators to children and adolescents seeking and accessing professional help for mental health problems. We identified 53 eligible studies; 22 provided quantitative data, 30 provided qualitative data, and one provided both. Four main barrier/facilitator themes were identified. Almost all studies (96%) reported barriers related to young people's individual factors, such as limited mental health knowledge and broader perceptions of help-seeking. The second most commonly (92%) reported theme related to social factors, for example, perceived social stigma and embarrassment. The third theme captured young people's perceptions of the therapeutic relationship with professionals (68%) including perceived confidentiality and the ability to trust an unknown person. The fourth theme related to systemic and structural barriers and facilitators (58%), such as financial costs associated with mental health services, logistical barriers, and the availability of professional help. The findings highlight the complex array of internal and external factors that determine whether young people seek and access help for mental health difficulties. In addition to making effective support more available, targeted evidence-based interventions are required to reduce perceived public stigma and improve young people's knowledge of mental health problems and available support, including what to expect from professionals and services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerica Radez
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Tessa Reardon
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK.
- Departments of Experimental Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Cathy Creswell
- Departments of Experimental Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Peter J Lawrence
- School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Georgina Evdoka-Burton
- Slough Community Mental Health Team, Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Slough, UK
| | - Polly Waite
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
- Departments of Experimental Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Maloney CA, Abel WD, McLeod HJ. Jamaican adolescents' receptiveness to digital mental health services: A cross-sectional survey from rural and urban communities. Internet Interv 2020; 21:100325. [PMID: 32455121 PMCID: PMC7236053 DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2020.100325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improving access to mental health resources for young people is an urgent healthcare challenge. As the majority of youth live in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) mental ill health can exert substantial adverse impacts on societies that can least afford it. Digital mental health technologies might help close the treatment gap but we need to understand barriers to implementing these strategies, especially in resource constrained contexts such as LMICs. METHODS We surveyed adolescents (N = 107; aged 10-19 years) from Jamaican communities using questionnaires adopted from previous studies conducted in LMICs. The questions addressed mental health help-seeking preferences, expectations of help-seeking effectiveness, and practical and attitudinal barriers to using mobile-phone-based mental health resources. We present descriptive data alongside exploratory analyses of differences in attitudes and preferences expressed by subgroups of respondents. RESULTS Adolescents reported very few practical or infrastructure barriers to accessing digital mental health resources. >90% of the sample had access to a smartphone, 78% expected that digital solutions could benefit adolescents with symptoms of mental distress, and 56% were interested in using mental health apps to monitor their own mental health. Stigma, shame, and embarrassment were major barriers to help-seeking and formal professional help was only preferred for more severe conditions such as psychosis and substance abuse. CONCLUSIONS Practical barriers are unlikely to impede the uptake of digital mental health resources by Jamaican adolescents. Our data suggest that mental health literacy, stigma, and embarrassment pose more serious blocks to help-seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A. Maloney
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 1st Floor, Admin Building, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, 1055 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0XH, United Kingdom
| | - Wendel D. Abel
- Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, Section of Psychiatry, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica
| | - Hamish J. McLeod
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 1st Floor, Admin Building, Gartnavel Royal Hospital, 1055 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0XH, United Kingdom
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Aguirre Velasco A, Cruz ISS, Billings J, Jimenez M, Rowe S. What are the barriers, facilitators and interventions targeting help-seeking behaviours for common mental health problems in adolescents? A systematic review. BMC Psychiatry 2020; 20:293. [PMID: 32527236 PMCID: PMC7291482 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-020-02659-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing rates of mental health problems among adolescents are of concern. Teens who are most in need of mental health attention are reluctant to seek help. A better understanding of the help-seeking in this population is needed to overcome this gap. METHODS Five databases were searched to identify the principal barriers, facilitators and interventions targeting help-seeking for common mental health problems in adolescents aged 10-19 years. The search was performed in June 2018 and updated in April 2019. Two independent screening processes were made using the eligibility criteria. Quality assessment of each study was performed, and findings summarised using a narrative synthesis. RESULTS Ninety studies meet the inclusion criteria for this review for barrier and facilitators (n = 54) and interventions (n = 36). Stigma and negative beliefs towards mental health services and professionals were the most cited barriers. Facilitators included previous positive experience with health services and mental health literacy. Most interventions were based on psychoeducation, which focused on general mental health knowledge, suicide and self-harm, stigma and depression. Other types of interventions included the use of multimedia and online tools, peer training and outreach initiatives. Overall, the quality of studies was low to medium and there was no general agreement regarding help-seeking definition and measurements. CONCLUSION Most of the interventions took place in an educational setting however, it is important to consider adolescents outside the educational system. Encouraging help-seeking should come with the increased availability of mental health support for all adolescents in need, but this is still a major challenge for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. There is also a need to develop shared definitions, theoretical frameworks and higher methodological standards in research regarding help-seeking behaviours in adolescents. This will allow more consistency and generalisability of findings, improving the development of help-seeking interventions and ensuring timely access to mental health treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Aguirre Velasco
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Children’s Hospital Dr. Roberto del Río, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Jo Billings
- División of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Sarah Rowe
- División of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
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Bjorkman A, Andersson K, Bergström J, Salzmann-Erikson M. Increased Mental Illness and the Challenges This Brings for District Nurses in Primary Care Settings. Issues Ment Health Nurs 2018; 39:1023-1030. [PMID: 30624130 DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2018.1522399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Patients with mental illness generally make their initial healthcare contact via a registered nurse. Although studies show that encountering and providing care to care-seekers with mental illness might be a challenge, little research exists regarding Primary Care Nurses' (PCN) view of the challenges they face. The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore PCNs' reflections on encountering care-seekers with mental illness in primary healthcare settings. The results consist of three themes: constantly experiencing patients falling through the cracks, being restricted by lack of knowledge and resources, and establishing a trustful relationship to overcome taboo, shame, and guilt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annica Bjorkman
- a Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences , Uppsala University , Uppsala , Sweden.,b Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies , University of Gavle , Gavle , Sweden
| | - Kajsa Andersson
- b Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies , University of Gavle , Gavle , Sweden
| | - Jenny Bergström
- b Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies , University of Gavle , Gavle , Sweden
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