Status of professional mental health help-seeking intention and associated factors among medical students: a cross-sectional study in China

Abstract

Abstract Aim Low professional help-seeking intention (PHSI) hinders effective treatment of mental illness. PHSI among Chinese students is still understudied and under-recognized. This study aimed to evaluate the status of PHSI and its associated risk factors among Chinese medical students. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Hainan province, South China, between January 1, 2021, and May 31, 2021. A total of 2182 medical students was recruited and surveyed via an anonymous structured questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with PHSI. Results Among the 2182 medical students (mean age 21.0 years (SD = 3.70), 61.5% females), those with and without PHSI were 72.0% and 28.0%, and 16.4% with moderate to severe depression. Regression analysis revealed that those students who were male (OR = 1.5), with a high level of depression stigma (OR = 2.0), had serious family dysfunction (OR = 2.1), with heavy dependence on mobile phones (OR = 1.7), were more likely not to seek for professional mental health help. Conclusions Interventions concentrating on increasing medical students' PHSI should focus on reducing depression stigma, reliance on mobile phone use, and improving their family function.