PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND MENTAL HELP SEEKING BEHAVIOR AMONG THE COLLEGE STUDENTS

Abstract

Psychological distress is known to affect a person's overall mental well-being and college students are often seen as a bundle of energy. Therefore the present investigation studiesthe emotional distress and mental help seeking attitude among college going students in south Indian city. 94 college going students aged between 18 to 25 years pursuing degree course from colleges at Chennai, Tamil Nādu, India was enrolled in this study using random sampling method. After obtaining informed consent, DASS-21 and MHSAS were selfadministered to assess the level of Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Mental Help Seeking Behaviour (MHSB). Psychological distress in the form of mild level of Depression and moderate level of Anxiety along with MHSB was present among the college students. There is a positive correlation between Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and MHSB (significant at p<0.01). Significant difference was observed between nuclear and joint family towards MHSB (t = 2.896, p < 0.01) and Domicile and MHSB (F=4.060, p<0.05) and between economic status and MHSB (F = 3.669, p<0.05). The ndings of the current study concluded the presence of Depression and Anxiety features among college students and thus there is a need for periodic mental health assessment of college going students and subsequent addressal of their mental health issues, if there is need.