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Systematic Narrative Review The mental health help-seeking intentions
and barriers for university students
Abstract
Context:
McLafferty et al (2017) state mental health issues emerge around age 18,
meaning 18-25-year-old university students may be more likely to experience
challenges. Based in a university mental health and wellbeing service, this review
has identified the increase in students accessing help for mental health services. I
underpinned the importance of understanding help-seeking intentions, and the
barriers to help-seeking for students in higher education settings.
Methods employed in the review:
A systematic review of three databases was completed in January 2023 to
identify peer-reviewed articles. The databases used were;
• PsychInfo,
• Medline and
• CINAHL.
In order to systematically search these to meet the research objectives, the
search strategy and concept groups used were.
• University student OR undergraduate student OR post graduate student OR
college student OR higher education student
AND
• Mental Health OR wellbeing OR well-being
AND
• Help-seeking OR Student support OR treatment OR counselling OR
counselling
AND
• Barriers to help-seeking