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Male secondary school student's attitudes towards using mental health services

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Shane Burke ,
Robert Kerr  and
Patrick McKeon
Shane Burke*
Affiliation:
Respond! Housing Association, High Park, 15 Grace Park Rd., Drumcondra, Dublin 9
Robert Kerr
Affiliation:
M43, Goldsmith Hall, School of Social Work and Social Policy, Trinity College, Dublin 2.
Patrick McKeon
Affiliation:
St Patrick's Hospital, James's Street, Dublin 8, Ireland
*
*Correspondence Email: sburke@stpatsmail.com
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Abstract

Objectives: The rate of suicide among young men is rising. However, young men are reluctant to use mental health services. In this study we explored young men's attitudes towards mental illness and mental health services, as well as their willingness to use these services.

Methods: Four focus groups were conducted in two Dublin schools. A total of 18 students participated in the study.

Results: Students held negative views towards mental health services, particularly in respect to psychiatric hospitals and medication. Students were not well informed about whom to contact if they had depression and were very conscious about the stigma of going to see a ‘professional’. Many students did not recognise depression as being a mental illness and could not differentiate between depression and feeling sad.

Conclusions: This study shows that a lack of knowledge and understanding about mental illness, combined with prejudice against mental health professionals and fear of stigma, are important barriers to access of mental health services for young men.

Keywords

Focus groupsSuicideDepressionYoung menMental health servicesStigma.
Type
Original Papers
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 25 , Issue 2 , June 2008 , pp. 52 - 56
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

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