Self-help in the context of youth mental health: sociological and psychological expert analysis from Russia

Purpose This study aims to explore how psychology and sociology experts in Russia conceptualize self-help practices for adolescents and young people and evaluate their role in supporting youth mental health amid stigma, low literacy and limited access to care. Design/methodology/approach Thirteen semistructured expert interviews were conducted in late 2023 with psychologists and sociologists working with young people. Data were thematically analyzed by four researchers using a jointly developed coding framework. Findings Psychological well-being is viewed as a subjective, multidimensional continuum shaped by social context. Self-help gains importance where stigma and institutional barriers restrict professional support. Introspection, rest, communication with trusted others and professional guidance are seen as central practices, their value contingent on personal and cultural factors. Research limitations/implications The small, two-discipline sample limits generalizability and the constructivist framing may overlook structural determinants. Future studies should refine expert criteria and enable cross-country comparisons. Practical implications Evaluating self-help should combine standardized tools, adult observations and youths’ self-assessments. Practitioners should foster mindful, context-sensitive self-help while warning against potentially harmful practices. Social implications Institutional distrust, stigma and service gaps drive reliance on self-help, which should complement – not replace – systemic reform and professional care. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is among the first interdisciplinary expert studies of youth self-help in Russia. It integrates psychological and sociological perspectives and proposes a framework linking youth agency, early intervention and structural barriers in non-Western contexts.