Perceptions on the Mental Health Help-Seeking Behavior of Young People with Depressive Tendencies

Abstract

There has been a rise in the number of suicide cases among young people in the Philippines. Most of these cases involve depression, being one of the psychological conditions commonly experienced by the youth. The purpose of this sequential explanatory mixed methods study was to understand the perspectives of parents, professionals, and the youth on the help-seeking behavior of young people with depressive tendencies. A purposive survey was conducted to determine various beliefs, attitudes, and behavioral predispositions toward young people’s mental help-seeking behavior. The survey was followed by in-depth interviews with selected group of parents, professionals and youth. The respondents perceived that young, college level, Roman Catholic, middle class LGBT+ individuals who come from urban areas and who are enrolled in private schools, are more likely to develop depressive tendencies due to risk factors such as social media, social environment, and their own experiences and expectations. Furthermore, young upper-class college females who live in urban areas, and studying in private institutions were observed to be more likely to seek help for their depressive tendencies. Overall, parents, professionals, and the youth were quite pessimistic in their beliefs about the mental health-seeking opportunities for young people in need. Significant differences were noted in the way they assess the ease of going for mental health consultations with professionals, with the youth respondents expressing the most negative stance. Despite their unfavorable cognitions, the 3 groups had quite favorable attitudes and behavioral predispositions toward young people with depressive tendencies and their capability to seek help. A mental health-seeking framework for young people with depressive tendencies was proposed.