Help-Seeking Attitudes and Behaviors Regarding Mental Health Among Turkish College Students

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between mental-health-related help-seeking attitudes and behaviors, and psychological symptoms, among Turkish college students. Previous studies showed that stigma, seeking help from friends and family, self-sufficiency, lack of knowledge of resources, and lack of awareness or emotional competence were among the major factors preventing individuals from obtaining professional mental health care. It was hypothesized that fear of stigma would be the dominant factor in avoidance of psychotherapy. The participants were 115 undergraduate students at the Education Faculty of Cukurova University. They answered questions regarding their psychological help-seeking attitudes and behaviors, and completed the Beck Depression Inventory, Symptom Check List-90-R, and the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist Civilian Version. The results showed that even though 27-41 percent of the participants experienced psychological difficulties at statistically significant levels, only 13-15 percent of those who needed help had been to psychotherapy. Contrary to expectations, stigma was not a major reason for their avoidance of psychotherapy. Instead, seeking help from friends and family and denial of psychological difficulties were the two most common reasons for not entering psychotherapy. Participants who were unaware of mental health resources (e.g., location of mental health services) were the most depressed. One-quarter of the students were unaware of the uses of group psychotherapy, and 95 percent said they would prefer individual to group psychotherapy if they were to enter psychotherapy. The study found that there is a need for outreach services in Turkey to increase awareness of psychological symptoms and available mental health resources.