Young Men, Help-Seeking and Mental Health Services: Barriers and Solutions

This research explores the barriers and solutions to seeking professional help for mental health problems among young men living in the North West of Ireland.  A qualitative approach - using two focus groups with six participants each and five face-to-face interviews - was conducted with men aged 18 to 24 years (total N = 17).  Data were analysed using thematic analysis.  Seven key barriers to help seeking were identified: acceptance from peers; personal challenges; cultural and environmental influences; self-medicating with alcohol; perspectives around seeking professional help; fear of homophobic responses; and traditional masculine ideals.  Five key solutions to these barriers included: tailored mental health advertising; integrating mental health into formal education; education through semi-formal support services; accessible mental health care; and making new meaning.  Read the full journal article at: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5734535