Perceptions of Help-Seeking Barriers Among College Students With Mental Health Disabilities

Colleges and universities are seeing increasing numbers of students seeking mental health services, including both students who have a history of mental health conditions and those seeking support for the first time. The academic consequences for students with mental health conditions are significant, including poor class attendance, lower grade-point average, and course failure. Individuals struggling academically are less likely to persist and graduate with a degree. Understanding student experiences, including their satisfaction with mental health services, is critical to providing effective resources. Perceptions of stigma, campus climate, and satisfaction with services are among the most prevalent barriers to help-seeking, presenting significant challenges to efforts to support student mental health. This study used data from the Healthy Minds questionnaire to examine differences in perceptions of help-seeking barriers based on students’ history of mental health diagnoses and indicators of self-harm. Results indicated students with histories of mental health and/or risk of self-harm have fewer positive perceptions of stigma, campus climate, and satisfaction with services on campus. Suggestions for professionals providing supports to college students with mental health disabilities are provided.