The Stigma of Mental Health Problems
Students resist or delay help-seeking because of stigma of mental health problems.
Because of the stigma attached to individuals with mental health problems, at-risk students may not seek the help they need. Some student populations are even less likely to find support. Consider the following:
Examples
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggested that people do not seek the help they need even when there is evidence that early intervention and treatment will substantially improve their health and recovery. It is common knowledge that help-seeking for mental health concerns carries greater stigma in relationship to help-seeking for physical health conditions (DHHS, 2001).
- Minority students underutilize college counseling centers (Atkinson, Jennings, & Liongson, 1990; Brinson & Kottler, 1995; Davidson et al., 2004; Eisenberg et al., 2007).
- Student-athletes underutilize college counseling services (Etzel et al., 2006; Ferrante et al., 1996; Watson, 2006).
- Men are less likely to seek psychological help and are more likely to hold negative attitudes toward help seeking (Gonzalez, Alegria, & Prihoda, 2005).
Student Health Services
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Anna M. Gove Student Health Center, 107 Gray Drive 27412
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
VOICE 336.334.5340
FAX 336.334.5343
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Anna M. Gove Student Health Center, 107 Gray Drive 27412
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
VOICE 336.334.5340
FAX 336.334.5343