Utilization of Mental Health Services among Undergraduate Students

Mental health services encompass a range of activities aimed at promoting mental well-being, preventing mental disorders, and providing treatment for those affected. The array of mental health programs and services encompasses a wide range of strategies and initiatives tailored to meet the intricate needs of individuals, particularly undergraduate students, to promote psychological well-being. However, a significant number of undergraduate students hesitate to access mental health services, creating a gap between the availability of resources and their utilization. This study assessed the utilization of mental health services among undergraduate students in a university in the northern part of the Philippines. This descriptive correlational research was conducted among 358 undergraduate students. The respondents were selected using a stratified random sampling method. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using frequency and percentage, and the Chi-square test of independence was used to determine factors that may be associated with the utilization of mental health services. Results showed that the majority of students demonstrated poor health-seeking behavior towards mental health services (51.7%). Moreover, the majority of the students demonstrated a negative attitude (61%) and poor utilization of mental health services (69.3%). The students also received a poor to moderate level of social support (79.6%) towards the use of mental health services. Students' gender (p=0.043), religion (p=0.001), and attitude towards mental health services (p=0.001) were also found to be significantly associated with their utilization of these services. It can be concluded that despite the availability of mental health services in the university, the students are facing a multitude of barriers preventing them from seeking or utilizing these services. Therefore, programs to improve the utilization, attitudes, and health-seeking behaviors of the students towards mental health services must be implemented.