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Table 3 Top rated barriers by quantitative studies (n = 7)

From: Perceived barriers and facilitators to mental health help-seeking in young people: a systematic review

Author

Top rated barriers

Sheffield (2004) [35]

School counsellor

 

1. Prefer to handle myself (45%) (self-reliance)

 

2. Don't think they can help (27%) (no one can help)

 

Doctor

 

1. Too expensive (25%) (cost)

 

2. Prefer to handle myself (23%) (self-reliance)

 

Psychologist/Psychiatrist

 

1. Too expensive (50%) (cost)

 

2. Don't know where to find (28%) (knowledge)

Dubow (1990) [26]

1. I felt that no person or helping service could help (55%) (no one can help)

 

2. The problem was too personal to tell anyone (53%) (stigma/comfort)

West (1991) [37]

1. I do not like to tell a stranger about personal things (29.4%) (stigma/comfort)

 

2. I am afraid counsellor will pass information about me to other people (18.3%) (confidentiality)

Kuhl, (1997) [32]

1. If I had a problem I would solve it by myself (3.87) (self-reliance)

 

2. I think I should work out my own problems (3.79) (self-reliance)

Wilson (2008) [38]

1. I feel comfortable talking to a GP (general practitioner) who I don't know (1.65) (stigma/comfort)

 

2. I'm not embarrassed to talk about my problems (1.51) (stigma/comfort)

Eisenberg (2007) [27]

1. Stress is normal in graduate school (51%) (self-reliance)

 

2. Have not had any need (45%) (no perceived need)

Brimstone (2007) [24]

1. Worries about either knowing the doctor/counsellor or having to have future dealings with the counsellor/psychologist or general practitioner at university health care centre (stigma/comfort)

 

2. Worries about either knowing the doctor/counsellor or having to have future dealings with the counsellor/psychologist or general practitioner at non-university health care centre (stigma/comfort)