Help-seeking preferences in Australian mental health website visitors: A latent profile analysis.
Aust N Z J Psychiatry
; 57(9): 1271-1280, 2023 09.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37042244
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
Psychological distress and suicide rates are climbing in Australia despite substantial mental health programme investment in recent decades. Understanding where individuals prefer to seek support in the event of a personal or emotional crisis may help target mental health resources to where they are most needed. This study aimed to explore individual differences in help-seeking preferences that may be leveraged for early intervention and mental health service design.METHOD:
Latent profile analysis was used to explore the help-seeking preferences of 1561 Australian online help-seekers who elected to complete a psychological distress screening on a popular mental health website, Beyond Blue.RESULTS:
Four latent profiles of help-seeker emerged that illustrate distinct preference channels for support help-negaters, professional help-seekers, family help-seekers and help-affirmatives. Help-negaters were the least likely to consider seeking help from any source, recorded the highest levels of psychological distress and suicidal ideation, and were more likely to be younger. Help-affirmatives were the most likely to seek help from any source, particularly from religious leaders, and were more likely to speak a language other than English at home.CONCLUSION:
Many individuals experiencing mental health concerns will prefer to seek support from family or community contacts rather than professionals, and some will not seek help at all. Diversity in help-seeking preferences should be considered when designing mental health services, outreach and psychoeducation materials.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Suicídio
/
Comportamento de Busca de Ajuda
/
Serviços de Saúde Mental
Limite:
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
Oceania
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article