Factors influencing help-seeking behavior for mental health problems in high school students

Abstract

Mental health problems among high school students are an increasing global concern, especially in Vietnam, where constrained resources and cultural obstacles frequently discourage help-seeking behavior. Understanding the determinants that influence mental health help-seeking behavior is critical for developing effective interventions and support systems for students. This study aims to investigate the personal, family, social, service, and systemic factors influencing mental health help-seeking behavior among high school students in Vietnam. A cross-sectional study was performed involving 422 high school students aged 16 to 18 across four cities in Vietnam. Data were gathered through a questionnaire modified from the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS) and analyzed utilizing SPSS version 22.0. Descriptive statistics, encompassing mean scores (M) and standard deviations (SD), were calculated to assess the impact of several factors on students' help-seeking behavior. The personal factor emerged as the most significant influence (M = 4.35, SD = 0.605). In personal factor, students exhibited the highest level of confidence in sharing their mental health problems with family or friends (M = 4.41, SD = 0.752). The highest-rated family and social factor was students feeling that their family is always willing to listen when they share about their mental health issues (M = 3.95, SD = 0.612). Students’ agreement with avoiding mental health services if they believed they would be ineffective (M = 3.25, SD = 1.191) in the service factor. For systemic factor, the highest-rated factor was students’ likelihood of avoiding mental health services if they believed the services would not be effective (M = 3.25, SD = 1.191). The study emphasizes the necessity of enhancing personal knowledge, fortifying familial support, and expanding access to and confidence in mental health services to promote help-seeking behavior among high school students. These findings highlight the necessity for school-based mental health initiatives and community awareness campaigns adapted to the cultural context of Vietnam.