Help seeking for mental health on college campuses: review of evidence and next steps for research and practice

Abstract

This article reviews what is known about help-seeking behavior for mental health problems in college populations and offers suggestions for the next steps that could be undertaken to improve knowledge and practice in this area. Our review suggests that traditional barriers, such as stigma, can only partially explain the high prevalence of untreated disorders. We discuss the conclusions and limitations of research on campus-based intervention strategies, including anti-stigma campaigns, screening programs, and gatekeeper trainings. In proposing new directions for research and practice, we consider insights from research on other health behaviors (e.g., diet and exercise) as well as innovative ideas from behavioral economics and cognitive psychology regarding behavior change.