Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 782-792 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Journal of affective disorders |
| Volume | 379 |
| Early online date | 11 Mar 2025 |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 11 Mar 2025 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Abstract
Background: Mental health problems are prevalent among university students, underscoring the need to improve access to effective interventions. Mental healthcare utilization is influenced by general and country-specific factors. This study aimed to identify and compare preferences and barriers to help-seeking for mental health problems among university students in three European countries. Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted with a sample of 4960 university students from Portugal (n = 3399), Germany (n = 680), and Sweden (n = 881). Depressive symptoms (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire) and overall mental health (5-item Mental Health Index) were assessed. Students responded to questions regarding help-seeking preferences for and barriers to mental health problems. Results: Rates of moderate to severe depressive symptoms ranged from 37.5 to 51.0 % and were highest among German students. A majority (76.3–89.3 %) of students indicated they would talk to a friend in case of mental health problems. Readiness to seek help was particularly high among Portuguese students. Readiness to use internet-based interventions was low among all students. Up to 51 % of students reported uncertainty regarding where they could seek help. Students with depressive symptoms versus those without were less likely to speak with a friend about emotional problems but were more likely to consider taking medications. Students with depressive symptoms were also more likely to endorse several help-seeking barriers. Conclusion: Reducing structural barriers, improving awareness of treatment options and increasing acceptance of help-seeking for emotional problems may improve uptake of mental health services among students in these European countries.
Keywords
- College, Depression, Interventions, Mental health, Online interventions
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychology(all)
- Clinical Psychology
- Medicine(all)
- Psychiatry and Mental health
Sustainable Development Goals
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In: Journal of affective disorders, Vol. 379, 15.06.2025, p. 782-792.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Help-seeking preferences and barriers for mental health problems among university students in Portugal, Germany, and Sweden
AU - Pinho, Lara Guedes
AU - Engström, Maria
AU - Silva, Maria Revés
AU - Fonseca, Cesar
AU - Lindberg, Magnus
AU - Jelinek, Lena
AU - Börsting, Johanna
AU - Afonso, Anabela
AU - Jacinto, Gonçalo
AU - Nilsson, Annika
AU - Schröder, Johanna
AU - Schneider, Brooke C.
PY - 2025/3/11
Y1 - 2025/3/11
N2 - Background: Mental health problems are prevalent among university students, underscoring the need to improve access to effective interventions. Mental healthcare utilization is influenced by general and country-specific factors. This study aimed to identify and compare preferences and barriers to help-seeking for mental health problems among university students in three European countries. Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted with a sample of 4960 university students from Portugal (n = 3399), Germany (n = 680), and Sweden (n = 881). Depressive symptoms (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire) and overall mental health (5-item Mental Health Index) were assessed. Students responded to questions regarding help-seeking preferences for and barriers to mental health problems. Results: Rates of moderate to severe depressive symptoms ranged from 37.5 to 51.0 % and were highest among German students. A majority (76.3–89.3 %) of students indicated they would talk to a friend in case of mental health problems. Readiness to seek help was particularly high among Portuguese students. Readiness to use internet-based interventions was low among all students. Up to 51 % of students reported uncertainty regarding where they could seek help. Students with depressive symptoms versus those without were less likely to speak with a friend about emotional problems but were more likely to consider taking medications. Students with depressive symptoms were also more likely to endorse several help-seeking barriers. Conclusion: Reducing structural barriers, improving awareness of treatment options and increasing acceptance of help-seeking for emotional problems may improve uptake of mental health services among students in these European countries.
AB - Background: Mental health problems are prevalent among university students, underscoring the need to improve access to effective interventions. Mental healthcare utilization is influenced by general and country-specific factors. This study aimed to identify and compare preferences and barriers to help-seeking for mental health problems among university students in three European countries. Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted with a sample of 4960 university students from Portugal (n = 3399), Germany (n = 680), and Sweden (n = 881). Depressive symptoms (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire) and overall mental health (5-item Mental Health Index) were assessed. Students responded to questions regarding help-seeking preferences for and barriers to mental health problems. Results: Rates of moderate to severe depressive symptoms ranged from 37.5 to 51.0 % and were highest among German students. A majority (76.3–89.3 %) of students indicated they would talk to a friend in case of mental health problems. Readiness to seek help was particularly high among Portuguese students. Readiness to use internet-based interventions was low among all students. Up to 51 % of students reported uncertainty regarding where they could seek help. Students with depressive symptoms versus those without were less likely to speak with a friend about emotional problems but were more likely to consider taking medications. Students with depressive symptoms were also more likely to endorse several help-seeking barriers. Conclusion: Reducing structural barriers, improving awareness of treatment options and increasing acceptance of help-seeking for emotional problems may improve uptake of mental health services among students in these European countries.
KW - College
KW - Depression
KW - Interventions
KW - Mental health
KW - Online interventions
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105000418047&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jad.2025.03.044
DO - 10.1016/j.jad.2025.03.044
M3 - Article
VL - 379
SP - 782
EP - 792
JO - Journal of affective disorders
JF - Journal of affective disorders
SN - 0165-0327
ER -