Barriers to mental health help-seeking intentions among Black college students: examining the role of discrimination.
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| Title: | Barriers to mental health help-seeking intentions among Black college students: examining the role of discrimination. |
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| Authors: | Fortson, Kennicia (AUTHOR), Nielsen, Karen E. (AUTHOR), Watson-Singleton, Natalie N. (AUTHOR), Metzger, Isha W. (AUTHOR), Mullican, K. Nicole (AUTHOR), Leone, Ruschelle M. (AUTHOR), Gilmore, Amanda K. (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of American College Health. Jul2026, Vol. 74 Issue 6, p1734-1744. 11p. |
| Subjects: | Suicide risk factors, Mental illness treatment, Minority students, Health literacy, Health services accessibility, Mathematical variables, African Americans, Secondary analysis, Mental health, Suicidal ideation, T-test (Statistics), Data analysis, Research funding, Undergraduates, Universities & colleges, Questionnaires, Multiple regression analysis, Culture, Statistical sampling, Help-seeking behavior, Emotions, Descriptive statistics, Mental health counseling, Intention, Anti-Black racism, Statistics, Research, Student attitudes, Psychological tests, Comparative studies, Data analysis software, Social stigma, Mental depression |
| Geographic Terms: | Southern States |
| Abstract: | Objective: To determine the association between six barriers of mental health counseling and intention to seek mental health help as well as to understand the moderating role of racial discrimination. Methods: We conducted a secondary data analysis of Black students (n = 367), aged 18–25 recruited from a large southeastern university. Participants previously completed an online survey originally conducted to understand student mental health needs and resources on campus. Results: Negative perceived value and discomfort with emotions barriers were negatively associated with intention to seek mental health help. Suicidal behavior was associated with lower help-seeking intention. Racial discrimination did not significantly moderate the association between barriers and intention to seek help for mental health concerns. Conclusions: Findings suggest that contextualizing individual-level barriers through a cultural and contextual lens may be impactful for increasing help-seeking intentions in this population. Further, Black college students may be a critical group to receive suicide prevention interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Objective: To determine the association between six barriers of mental health counseling and intention to seek mental health help as well as to understand the moderating role of racial discrimination. Methods: We conducted a secondary data analysis of Black students (n = 367), aged 18–25 recruited from a large southeastern university. Participants previously completed an online survey originally conducted to understand student mental health needs and resources on campus. Results: Negative perceived value and discomfort with emotions barriers were negatively associated with intention to seek mental health help. Suicidal behavior was associated with lower help-seeking intention. Racial discrimination did not significantly moderate the association between barriers and intention to seek help for mental health concerns. Conclusions: Findings suggest that contextualizing individual-level barriers through a cultural and contextual lens may be impactful for increasing help-seeking intentions in this population. Further, Black college students may be a critical group to receive suicide prevention interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 07448481 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/07448481.2025.2607137 |
