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Help-seeking behaviour among Finnish adolescent males
Lassi Kaskeala1, Lauri Sillanmäki2, Andre Sourander3
1a Lassi Kaskeala, B.M., Department of Child Psychiatry , University of Turku and Turku University Hospital , Turku , Finland.
Nordic Journal of Psychiatry
|April 2, 2015
Summary
Mental health service use is low among adolescent males, with only 3.2% seeking help. Factors like poor paternal relationships and suicidal thoughts were linked to service use, highlighting a need for improved accessibility.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent mental health research
- Public health and epidemiology
- Psychiatric service utilization
Background:
- Adolescent males exhibit low rates of seeking mental health support.
- Onset of many psychiatric disorders occurs during adolescence.
- Previous help-seeking, parental factors, and suicidal ideation are linked to mental health service contact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of mental health service use in Finnish adolescent males.
- To identify risk factors associated with mental health service utilization in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A general population sample of 4309 men aged 18.3 years at military call-up in 2009 was surveyed.
- Factors associated with mental health service use in the preceding 12 months were analyzed.
Main Results:
- 3.2% of men used mental health services in the past 12 months; 2.3% considered it.
- Service use correlated with living alone, poor paternal relationships, father absence, high internalizing symptoms, suicidal thoughts, smoking, and illicit drug use.
- Frequent drunkenness was associated with service use, while occasional alcohol use showed an inverse relationship.
Conclusions:
- Mental health service utilization remains very low in late adolescent males.
- A significant proportion of males with self-perceived mental health issues do not seek professional help.
- Enhancing accessibility of mental health services for adolescent males is a critical challenge.
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