Barriers to seeking mental health services among young persons with mental disorders in South India: a qualitative study.

Abstract

Objectives: To explore barriers to seeking mental health services among young people in Chennai, South India, using a qualitative study.

Methods: Young people aged 18 to 24 years with a diagnosis of any mental disorder were purposively recruited from a tertiary mental health centre in Chennai, South India, between April 2022 and March 2023. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted. Questions pertaining to barriers to help-seeking included personal and emotional, social and cultural, environmental, and financial barriers. Each interview was audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim or translated into English. Thematic analysis was performed.

Results: In total, eight male and seven female participants (mean age 21.2 years) were included in the analysis. Five major themes emerged: (1) stigma and discrimination (including feelings of isolation and neglect, societal labelling, and reduced employment opportunities due to mental illness), (2) religious and spiritual factors (characterised by ignorance and high levels of stigma), (3) mental health literacy (poor understanding of mental health), (4) logistical barriers (limited access to healthcare facilities and transportation difficulties), and (5) financial barriers (high treatment costs and difficulties accessing government medical schemes).

Conclusion: Young people with mental disorders in India face multiple barriers to accessing mental health services. These findings may inform researchers, clinicians, and policymakers in developing targeted interventions, strategic frameworks, and policy reforms to promote early help-seeking among this population.