MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA AND HELP-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR AMONG ADOLESCENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Mental health disorders affect approximately 15% of adolescents globally, yet a significant treatment gap persists as only 18% to 34% of those in distress seek professional support. This systematic review, conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, synthesizes evidence from 33 peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2024 to examine the relationship between stigma and help-seeking behavior. Findings indicate that self-stigma (internalized prejudice) is a more consistent barrier to formal service utilization than public stigma. Critical thematic analysis revealed that schools often function as "theatres of stigma," where visible interventions like "counsellor walks" trigger social embarrassment and identity threats. Gender emerged as a key moderator: adolescent males frequently equate help-seeking with weakness (91% of stigmatizing comments), while females prioritize fears of peer exclusion. Furthermore, a significant intention-behavior gap exists; even when adolescents acknowledge distress, they favour informal digital sources over clinical care to maintain anonymity. In Sub-Saharan African contexts, stigma is uniquely tied to family honor and "courtesy stigma". The review concludes that interventions must move beyond general awareness to address developmental identity concerns and provide culturally specific, anonymous pastoral care model.