A Qualitative Inquiry on the Active Mental Health Help-Seeking Behavior of Filipino Young Adults

Mental health care is a basic necessity which directly influences a person’s quality of life. It also depends on the help-seeking behavior of an individual. Although awareness and services were continuously advocated, studies determining the direct impact and facilitative factors of active mental health help-seeking behavior among individuals from diverse cultural contexts is still limited. This study delved into the active mental health help-seeking behavior of eight (8) Filipino young adults who have undergone formal psychological services. Their lived experiences were captured with the use of a validated semi-structured interview tool and were analyzed with the use of an interpretative phenomenological analysis lens. Findings showed four superordinate themes: facilitative factors were identified through gaining self-discovery and acceptance; having a support system; finding the right therapist; and struggles outweighing mental health relevant to the socially rooted barriers and impose a challenge in the help-seeking of the selected participants via disbelief; stigma and complexity of treatment and financial burdens. These provide an overview of the psychological gains from an active help-seeking behavior and how one overcomes barriers to mental health in today’s generation. This research may serve as a basis in recommending a community-based mental health intervention that will focus on strengthening the coping resources of Filipinos in addressing their mental health concerns.