Factors related to seeking help from a student counseling service for depression and suicidal ideation: Japanese university and college students

Abstract

The present study investigated the process of students' seeking help from a student counseling service for depression and suicidal ideation, and related factors. Japanese university and college students (N = 758) completed a self-report questionnaire that included measures of help-seeking behavior for hypothetical problems (depression and suicidal ideation), the seriousness of the problem, attitudes toward seeking counseling, self-esteem, depressive symptoms, social support, and demographic variables. The results of logistic regression analysis indicated that gender (female), social support, and the seriousness of the problem were positively correlated with willingness to seek help. Seeking help from a student counseling service for suicidal ideation was positively correlated with gender (male), the seriousness of the problem, and attitudes toward seeking counseling. Implications of these findings for intervention strategies that focus on the process of help-seeking behavior were discussed.