Table 1 Key barrier themes and number of studies (n = 13) in which theme addressed
# | Barrier theme | Number of studies |
|---|---|---|
1 | Public, perceived and self-stigmatising attitudes to mental illness | 10 |
2 | Confidentiality and trust | 6 |
3 | Difficulty identifying the symptoms of mental illness | 5 |
4 | Concern about the characteristics of the provider | 5 |
5 | Reliance on self, do not want help | 5 |
6 | Knowledge about mental health services | 4 |
7 | Fear or stress about the act of help-seeking or the source of help itself | 4 |
8 | Lack of accessibility, e.g., time, transport, cost | 4 |
9 | Difficulty or an unwillingness to express emotion | 3 |
10 | Do not want to burden someone else | 2 |
11 | Prefer other sources of help (e.g., family, friends) | 2 |
12 | Worry about effect on career | 1 |
13 | Others not recognising the need for help or not having the skills to cope | 1 |