TRENDS IN SEEKING HELP TO SOLVE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS AND BARRIERS TO ACCESSING MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES AMONG STUDENTS AT THE THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACY
Overview
Abstract:
Background: Mental health issues are becoming more prevalent, particularly among
young people. Seeking treatment and gaining access to suitable mental health
care services will assist students in overcoming mental health issues early on.
However, there is currently little research on this topic among Vietnamese
students, particularly those studying medicine. Objective: Describe the tendency of students
at the Thai Nguyen University of Medicine and Pharmacy to seek help to solve
mental health problems; survey the barriers to accessing mental health care
services among university students at the Thai Nguyen University of Medicine
and Pharmacy. Materials and Methods: Description in cross-section. The study used a questionnaire
to conduct direct interviews with 1209 students at Thai Nguyen University of
Medicine and Pharmacy. Research indicators include age, gender, ethnicity, and
the rate of students with mental disorders according to the SRQ-20 scale. Results: The average age was 20.6 ± 1.7 years. The rate of
students with mental disorders is 50.0%. Sources of support that students often
turn to to solve mental health problems were: friends (36.3%), family (24.0%),
while mental health care specialists was 2.6%. Want to solve problems by myself
(64.3%); that talking with friends and relatives is better (40.1%); and think
that the problem will go away on its own and without help (32.7%) were the
three reasons chosen by most students to explain not seeking professional
mental health care services when experiencing mental health problems. Conclusion: Instead of seeking professional
mental health care services, students often turn to relatives who do not have
competence in mental health care to solve mental health concerns. Students'
awareness and attitudes regarding mental health concerns are the most
significant barriers to seeking mental health care services.
Keyword(s): Keywords: seeking help, mental health, health students.
Pages (from-to) | 262 - 266 |
Journal | Vietnam Medical Journal |
Volume | 539 |
Issue number | 3 |
Publication status | Published - Jun-2024 |
ISBN | 1859-1868 |