Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Help-seeking behaviour in men and women with common mental health problems: Cross-sectional study

Oliver, Maria Isabel; Coe, Nicola; Gunnell, David; Pearson, Nicky

Authors

Maria Isabel Oliver

Nicola Coe

David Gunnell

Nicky Pearson



Abstract

Background: Many people with mental health problems do not seek professional help but their use of other sources of help is unclear. Aims: To investigate patterns of lay and professional help-seeking in men and women aged 16-64 years in relation to severity of symptoms and sociodemographic variables. Method: Postal questionnaire survey, including the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), sent to a stratified random sample (n=15222) of the population of Somerset. Results: The response rate was 76%. Only 28% of people with extremely high GHQ-12 scores (≥8) had sought help from their general practitioner but most (78%) had sought some form of help. Males, young people and people living in affluent areas were the least likely to seek help. Conclusions: Health promotion interventions to encourage appropriate help-seeking behaviour in young people, particularly in men, may lead to improvements in the mental health of this group of the population.

Citation

Coe, N., Oliver, M. I., Gunnell, D., & Pearson, N. (2005). Help-seeking behaviour in men and women with common mental health problems: Cross-sectional study. British Journal of Psychiatry, 186(APR.), 297-301. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.186.4.297

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Apr 1, 2005
Journal British Journal of Psychiatry
Print ISSN 0007-1250
Publisher Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Peer Reviewed Not Peer Reviewed
Volume 186
Issue APR.
Pages 297-301
DOI https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.186.4.297
Keywords help seeking behaviour, men, women, common mental health problems, cross-sectional study
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1050467
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjp.186.4.297


Downloadable Citations