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Barriers and Facilitators to Mental Health Help-Seeking among Young Adults in Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Study

Author

Listed:
  • Robena Noorwali

    (Faculty of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia)

  • Sarah Almotairy

    (Faculty of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia)

  • Raneem Akhder

    (Faculty of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia)

  • Ghadi Mahmoud

    (Faculty of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia)

  • Loujain Sharif

    (Department of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21551, Saudi Arabia)

  • Nofaa Alasmee

    (Department of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21551, Saudi Arabia)

  • Alaa Mahsoon

    (Department of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21551, Saudi Arabia)

  • Duaa Hafez

    (Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21551, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

While young Saudi adults are reportedly prone to experiencing a variety of mental health problems, they tend to delay seeking mental health support. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators of seeking mental health support among young adults in Saudi Arabia. A qualitative research design was implemented using semi-structured interviews with 12 young adult participants in Saudi Arabia, recruited through social media platforms, and the interviews were then analyzed using thematic analysis. Two major themes emerged: barriers that impede the process of mental health help-seeking and facilitators that assist individuals in seeking mental health support. The barriers included public stigma and lack of awareness, unprofessional mental health practitioners, lack of accessibility to services and information, unsupportive families, intrapersonal dilemmas, and misconceptions based on religious beliefs. Facilitators of help-seeking included increasing societal and family awareness, promoting the accessibility of services, enhancing sources of external support, personal motivation to change, and online therapy. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of promoting mental health literacy among the Saudi public, particularly with regard to young adults and their unique mental health needs. Exploring facilitators and barriers may also assist mental health providers in developing tailored mental health campaigns and interventions directed at young adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Robena Noorwali & Sarah Almotairy & Raneem Akhder & Ghadi Mahmoud & Loujain Sharif & Nofaa Alasmee & Alaa Mahsoon & Duaa Hafez, 2022. "Barriers and Facilitators to Mental Health Help-Seeking among Young Adults in Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:5:p:2848-:d:761612
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Loujain Sharif & Shimaa Basri & Fidaa Alsahafi & Mashael Altaylouni & Shihanah Albugumi & Maram Banakhar & Alaa Mahsoon & Nofaa Alasmee & Rebecca J. Wright, 2020. "An Exploration of Family Caregiver Experiences of Burden and Coping While Caring for People with Mental Disorders in Saudi Arabia—A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-15, September.
    2. Alaa Mahsoon & Loujain Sharif & Maram Banakhar & Nofaa Alasmee & Esraa Almowallad & Razan Jabali & Amjad Bahamil & Sara Assur, 2020. "Parental Support, Beliefs about Mental Illness, and Mental Help-Seeking among Young Adults in Saudi Arabia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-11, August.
    3. Alexander Hassett & Chloe Isbister, 2017. "Young Men’s Experiences of Accessing and Receiving Help From Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Following Self-Harm," SAGE Open, , vol. 7(4), pages 21582440177, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ge Yu & Eugene Y. H. Tang & Yu Fu, 2023. "Health Disparities and Comparison of Psychiatric Medication Use before and after the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown among General Practitioner Practices in the North East of England," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-12, June.

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