INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WORK AND HUMAN SERVICES PRACTICES (IJSWHSP)
A QUALITATIVE INQUIRY ON THE ACTIVE MENTAL HEALTH HELP-SEEKING BEHAVIOR OF FILIPINO YOUNG ADULTS
E-ISSN: 2122-3342
P-ISSN: 2309-2094
DOI: https://iigdpublishers.com/article/632
Mental health care is a basic necessity which directly influences a person‟s quality of life. It also depends on the help-seeking behavior of an individual. Although awareness and services were continuously advocated, studies determining the direct impact and facilitative factors of active mental health help-seeking behavior among individuals from diverse cultural contexts are still limited. This study delved into the active mental health help-seeking behavior of eight (8) Filipino young adults who have undergone formal psychological services. Their lived experiences were captured with the use of a validated semi-structured interview tool and were analyzed with the use of an interpretative phenomenological analysis lens. Findings showed four superordinate themes: facilitative factors were identified through gaining self-discovery and acceptance; having a support system; finding the right therapist; and struggles outweighing mental health relevant to the socially rooted barriers and impose a challenge in the help-seeking of the selected participants via disbelief; stigma and complexity of treatment and financial burdens. These provide an overview of the psychological gains from an active help-seeking behavior and how one overcomes barriers to mental health in today‟s generation. This research may serve as a basis in recommending a community-based mental health intervention that will focus on strengthening the coping resources of Filipinos in addressing their mental health concerns.
Camille V. De Leon
Alviar, S., & del Prado, A. (2022). “You should pray about it”: Exploring mental health and help-seeking in Filipino American Catholics. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 13(1), 97. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/aap0000266.
Angermeyer, M. C., Van Der Auwera, S., Carta, M. G., & Schomerus, G. (2017). Public attitudes towards psychiatry and psychiatric treatment at the beginning of the 21st century: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of population surveys. World Psychiatry, 16(1), 50-61. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20383.
Aruta, J. J. B. R., Maria, A., & Mascarenhas, J. (2023). Self-compassion promotes mental help-seeking in older, not in younger, counselors. Current psychology, 42(22), 18615-18625. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03054-6.
Cao, W., Fang, Z., Hou, G., Han, M., Xu, X., Dong, J., & Zheng, J. (2020). The psychological impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on college students in China. Psychiatry research, 287, 112934.
Chan, C. D., & Litam, S. D. A. (2021). Mental Health Equity of Filipino Communities in COVID-19: A Framework for Practice and Advocacy. Professional Counselor, 11(1), 73-85.
