Prevalence of Psychological Distress, Perceived Stigma, and Barriers to Mental Health Help-seeking among Senior School Students in Western Maharashtra

Background: Senior school-going students face increasing academic, social, and familial pressures that predispose them to psychological distress. Despite the growing burden, help-seeking for mental health problems remains suboptimal, particularly in sociocultural contexts where stigma is prevalent. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychological distress among senior school students, assess perceived stigma related to mental health, and identify barriers influencing help-seeking behavior. Methodology: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among senior students aged 15–18 years using standardized self-administered questionnaires. Psychological distress was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire-12. Perceived stigma and barriers to help-seeking were evaluated using structured Likert-scale instruments. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests to explore associations. Results: A total of 465 senior school students participated in the study. Overall, 38.3% of students screened positive for probable psychological distress. Emotional distress symptoms such as sleep disturbance, persistent strain, feelings of unhappiness, loss of self-confidence, and worthlessness were reported by nearly 80% of students. In contrast, functional difficulties were reported by about one-third. Female students reported significantly higher perceived mental health stigma compared to males. Perceived stigma was common: 60% viewed mental health discussions as a sign of weakness and 50% feared negative judgment. Major barriers to help-seeking included lack of school-based mental health services (70%), poor awareness of available services (65%), and parental discouragement (55%). Conclusion: Psychological distress among senior students is common, yet help-seeking is limited by stigma and systemic barriers. School-based mental health interventions that focus on reducing stigma and improving service accessibility are urgently needed.