O-33 Barriers to mental health treatment among young adults aged 18-35 in Barbados: Exploring the health professional perspective
Author(s):
R Cox , N Greaves
Year of Presentation:
2022
Objective: This study investigated the perceived and experienced barriers and facilitators to mental health treatment
amongst young adults ages 18–35, in Barbados from the
perspective of health professionals actively involved in care
provision.
Methods: Purposive sampling using the principle of maximum variation was done in three primary health care centres and the lone psychiatric hospital on the island of Barbados. Resulting in the conduct of 9 semi-structured virtual interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim by the interviewer and subject to thematic analysis with constant comparison. Data was managed by Atlasti. 8 software.
Results: Twelve thematic variables were identified as influencing mental health treatment seeking among young adults. Of these low mental health literacy, stigma and non-supportive environments negatively influenced initial help-seeking behaviour. While beliefs pertaining to the side effects of medication and waiting times associated with accessing services were found to interrupt long term compliance with treatment regimes. Importantly treatment was facilitated by a triad of family support, the quality of services and the presence of a trust relationship between patients and health care providers.
Conclusion: Whilst many factors influenced treatment access and continuity of care, it is likely that strategies which simultaneously reduce stigma, and increase mental health literacy in the general population will be useful. Further research is needed to gather the perspective of youth (those with and without mental health illness) to develop a holistic view of this phenomenon as a means of informing future service design and delivery.