Young adults avoid seeking medical advice during cases of mental ill-health
New research from Monash Business School shows fewer than half of young adults with mental ill-health sought professional medical advice, despite the available services. There has been an increasing trend of accessing mental health prescription medication at younger ages. Adolescents turned to their family and friends for help, suggesting they may face barriers to accessing mental health services. Despite the high rates of mental trauma in adolescents, fewer than half who need it visit a doctor or mental health professional for treatment, a new study led by Monash University shows. Instead of professional help, young people turn to prescription medication, as well as family and friends for help with their personal and emotional problems because of the barriers they face with accessing mental health care. The study of longitudinal data by researchers in the Monash Business School, Australian National University (ANU) and The University of Melbourne, published in The Australian Economic Review , found just under half of all children and young people with very high levels of psychological distress accessed any form of mental health care. Less than two in five children and young people who reported to have self-harmed or attempted suicide accessed any form of mental health care.
