'It's a bit taboo': a qualitative study of Norwegian adolescents' perceptions of mental healthcare services. Issue 2 (3rd April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tharaldsen, Kjersti Balle; Stallard, Paul; Cuijpers, Pim; Bru, Edvin; Bjaastad, Jon Fauskanger
• Is Part Of: Emotional and behavioural difficulties. Volume 22:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 111
• Page End: 126
• Publication Date: 2017-04-03
• Subjects: Adolescents -- mental health -- stigma -- barriers -- help-seeking; Adjustment disorders in children -- Periodicals; Special education -- Periodicals; Behavior disorders in children -- Periodicals; 371.9305
• DOI: 10.1080/13632752.2016.1248692
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1363-2752

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to investigate adolescents' perspectives on mental healthcare services. Based on theoretical perspectives concerning barriers for help-seeking, individual interviews were carried out in order to obtain the adolescents' perspectives on knowledge of services for mental health problems, potential barriers for help-seeking, and services to which they have access. The sample consisted of vocational students from an upper secondary school in the southwest of Norway ( n = 8). None of the informants was currently in treatment for mental health problems. Interview data were transcribed and analysed with the assistance of NVivo Software. Qualitative content analysis indicated that the adolescents have limited knowledge of available resources, and, that stigma-related factors may prevent the adolescents from seeking help for mental health problems. Future directions for delivering mental health services for adolescents are given.