A Systematic Review of the Barriers Associated with Help-Seeking among Students at Risk of Suicide

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Bibliographic Details
Title: A Systematic Review of the Barriers Associated with Help-Seeking among Students at Risk of Suicide
Language: English
Authors: Giovanna C. Cameron, Simon C. Hunter (ORCID 0000-0002-3922-1252), Rachel C. McCartney, Lisa McKain
Source: Educational Research and Evaluation. 2025 30(3-4):190-211.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 22
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Literature Reviews, College Students, Postsecondary Education, Suicide, Prevention, Barriers, Help Seeking, At Risk Persons, Mental Health, Health Services, Access to Health Care, Meta Analysis
DOI: 10.1080/13803611.2024.2422626
ISSN: 1380-3611
1744-4187
Abstract: Suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and post-secondary students are a particularly vulnerable group with respect to this. A systematic review was conducted to investigate the barriers associated with help-seeking for suicidality in this population, whilst exploring the quality of the literature. The databases PsychInfo, PsychArticles, MEDLINE, and Emcare were searched for publications up to the year 2022 inclusive, yielding ten publications. The most frequently cited barriers were lack of time and finance, questioning the seriousness of their own needs, wanting to deal with their problems on their own, perceiving stress to be a normal part of attending university/college, and perceived stigma. These barriers should be taken into consideration when designing suicide prevention strategies. Limitations of this review include the majority of studies within this review employing a cross-sectional design and only professional help-seeking. Future studies should employ longitudinal designs and investigate informal help-seeking.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1498053
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and post-secondary students are a particularly vulnerable group with respect to this. A systematic review was conducted to investigate the barriers associated with help-seeking for suicidality in this population, whilst exploring the quality of the literature. The databases PsychInfo, PsychArticles, MEDLINE, and Emcare were searched for publications up to the year 2022 inclusive, yielding ten publications. The most frequently cited barriers were lack of time and finance, questioning the seriousness of their own needs, wanting to deal with their problems on their own, perceiving stress to be a normal part of attending university/college, and perceived stigma. These barriers should be taken into consideration when designing suicide prevention strategies. Limitations of this review include the majority of studies within this review employing a cross-sectional design and only professional help-seeking. Future studies should employ longitudinal designs and investigate informal help-seeking.
ISSN:1380-3611
1744-4187
DOI:10.1080/13803611.2024.2422626