TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring perceived barriers and facilitators to mental health help-seeking in adolescents: a systematic literature review
AU - Barrow, Emma
AU - Thomas, George
PY - 2022/3/27
Y1 - 2022/3/27
N2 - Despite high incidence rates of adolescent mental health difficulties, only a small minority of young people access support. To explore this gap, this systematic literature review (SLR) synthesises existing research exploring barriers and facilitators to help-seeking. The authors identified 12 eligible studies that were critically appraised: seven provided quantitative data, two provided qualitative data and three employed mixed-methods approaches. Four global barrier themes were identified, namely: stigma; practical barriers; negative attitudes and perceptions; and knowledge barriers. Two global facilitator themes also emerged, including: mental health literacy; and wellbeing and community factors. The findings highlight important implications for improving help-seeking behaviours in adolescents, including increasing mental health support in school. The findings are discussed relative to the role of the educational psychologist (EP), as EPs are well-positioned to support universal and targeted approaches that endeavour to reduce stigma, enhance service accessibility, promote connectedness, and improve mental health literacy.
AB - Despite high incidence rates of adolescent mental health difficulties, only a small minority of young people access support. To explore this gap, this systematic literature review (SLR) synthesises existing research exploring barriers and facilitators to help-seeking. The authors identified 12 eligible studies that were critically appraised: seven provided quantitative data, two provided qualitative data and three employed mixed-methods approaches. Four global barrier themes were identified, namely: stigma; practical barriers; negative attitudes and perceptions; and knowledge barriers. Two global facilitator themes also emerged, including: mental health literacy; and wellbeing and community factors. The findings highlight important implications for improving help-seeking behaviours in adolescents, including increasing mental health support in school. The findings are discussed relative to the role of the educational psychologist (EP), as EPs are well-positioned to support universal and targeted approaches that endeavour to reduce stigma, enhance service accessibility, promote connectedness, and improve mental health literacy.
U2 - 10.1080/02667363.2022.2051441
DO - 10.1080/02667363.2022.2051441
M3 - Article
SN - 0266-7363
SP - 1
EP - 21
JO - Educational Psychology in Practice
JF - Educational Psychology in Practice
ER -