Louise Lynch|Maggie Long|Anne Moorhead
Young Men, Help-Seeking, and Mental Health Services: Exploring Barriers and Solutions
University of Ulster|University of Ulster|University of Ulster
international research identified young men reluctant seek help mental health problems research explored barriers solutions professional help seeking mental health problems among young men living north west ireland qualitative approach using two focus groups six participants five facetoface interviews conducted men aged 18 24 years total n 17 data analyzed using thematic analysis seven key themes barriers professional help seeking identified acceptance peers personal challenges cultural environmental influences selfmedicating alcohol perspectives around seeking professional help fear homophobic responses traditional masculine ideals five key themes solutions barriers included tailored mental health advertising integrating mental health formal education education semiformal support services accessible mental health care making new meaning interesting findings barriers include fear psychiatric medication fear homophobic responses professionals legacy catholic attitudes genuine need care study offers indepth exploration young men experience barriers uniquely offers solutions identified participants youth work settings identified resource engaging young men mental health work young men encouraged seek help services professionals actively address barriers combining advertising services education particular attention respect young men seek help want share problems