Barriers and Facilitators of Seeking Help for Mental Health Challenges Among Adolescents Across 13 Countries: A Qualitative Investigation

Purpose: Adolescence is a period of developmental transition marked by a high prevalence of mental health challenges. The emergence of these challenges underscores the importance of encouraging help-seeking behaviors among adolescents to mitigate negative psychological outcomes. Gaining a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of adolescents can inform intervention development and increase access to care. Methods: This study draws on qualitative information collected from 71 focus group discussions across 13 countries with male and female adolescents aged 12–19 years old. Focus group discussions were transcribed verbatim and translated into English, with transcripts coded and analyzed for emergent themes. Focused data analysis centered on themes related to help-seeking strategies for mental health challenges as well as related barriers and facilitators. Results: Participants emphasized the critical role of informal support systems, including friends and family, in helping adolescents cope with mental health challenges. Additionally, participants highlighted the importance of accessing professional support through school or community mental health services. Significant barriers to help-seeking were described, including mental health stigma, restrictive gender norms, limited service availability, poor quality or unaffordable services, low mental health literacy, and unsupportive interpersonal relationships. Participants emphasized the role of digital technologies, school and community environments, and trustworthy relationships as facilitators of seeking help. Discussion: While many adolescents are aware of the importance of seeking help for mental health challenges, there is a need for country-level interventions to increase mental health literacy and reduce mental health stigma in order to ensure optimal access to care.