Stigma in school‐based mental health: perceptions of young people and service providers

BACKGROUND: Mental health affects one in five young people, with the majority avoiding help due to stigma. In this study, young people's (n = 49) perception of stigma as a barrier to accessing school-based mental health services was compared with that of service providers (n = 63), along with the perceived extent of mental health problems and availability of school-based mental health resources. METHOD: Participants completed a survey or interview. EBSCO and PubMed databases were used for the duration of this study, from August 2010 to September 2011. RESULTS: A greater proportion of young people versus providers reported stigma as the largest barrier to accessing mental health services. In addition, most young people reported that school-based mental health resources were scarce. CONCLUSIONS: These results emphasize the need for young people's involvement in mental health initiatives.