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. 2024 May 16;10(1):FSO916.
doi: 10.2144/fsoa-2023-0114. eCollection 2024.

Attitude towards seeking professional help for mental health among medical students In Karachi, Pakistan

Mubashir Zafar  1 , Tafazzul H Zaidi  2 , Nadira H Zaidi  3 , Muhammad Wn Ahmed  2 , Sobia Memon  2 , Faheem Ahmed  2 , Amal Siddiqui  2 , Abeen Fatima  2 , Ayesha Shahid  2 , Balaj Hussain  2 , Anosha Salam  2
Affiliations

Attitude towards seeking professional help for mental health among medical students In Karachi, Pakistan

Mubashir Zafar et al. Future Sci OA. .

Abstract

Aim: In Pakistan, seeking help for mental health is considered a social stigma and a large number of medical students are suffering from mental health. This study aimed to investigate the attitude toward seeking professional care for mental health issues among medical students. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 316 students selected through multistage stratified cluster sampling. With each academic year 500 students were enrolled. Linear regression analysis was used to find the association of outcome and independent variables. Results: Around 56% of students had a negative attitude toward seeking professional help. Common predictors associated with a negative attitude were age (p < 0.001), academic year (p < 0.001) and with self-harm behavior (p < 0.001). Conclusion: University students generally had moderate intentions to seek counseling regarding mental health.

Keywords: counseling; medical students; mental health; professional help; stigma.

Plain language summary

Mental health disorders are considered common in society. In particular, medical students commonly suffer from depression and anxiety. This study found that there are different factors that contribute to a negative attitude towards seeking mental health counseling. For example, a younger age and a history of self-harm contributed the most to a negative attitude towards mental health help, and not sharing any health problems with parents and doctors. There is a need to increase awareness among students regarding mental disorders and seeking help to overcome problems.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Attitude level toward seeking professional help for mental health.
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