How can interventions & environmental changes be implemented to increase the perceived behavioral control of individuals about their capacity to seek mental care services?

PHE 2400

INTRODUCTION

A) Purpose Statement

Throughout my experience in the United States’ University system, I have experienced the difficulties of seeking mental healthcare as a degree-seeking student. From my experience, I have seen that there are many barriers preventing students from accessing this type of care, and once care is found it is often ill-equipped to deal with many issues presented by the university student population.
The purpose of this research design is to determine what information has already been gathered to determine barriers to mental healthcare for young individuals, and what interventions/implementations have been set in place in attempt to amend the situation.

B) Public Health Issue
Increasing availability and perceptions about mental health services among college/university-age individuals.

C) Background
Depression us an extremely prevalent mental disorder. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 300 million individuals are affected globally (WHO.int). The condition affects women more than men. Depression leads about 800,000 individuals to die from suicide each year causing it to be the second leading cause-of-death among 15-29 year-olds.

Because this age group is affected so heavily and they are the typical university-age demographic, it is important to ensure that services are available to all populations among this age range. In order to address the university and youth-age population, researchers must assess the perceptions of individuals in this group, barriers to seeking care, and the effectiveness of the care services that are already in place.

D) Questions

a. How have theories been utilized to determine the willingness and ability of university-students to seek mental health services?

b. How can interventions & environmental changes be implemented to increase the perceived behavioral control of individuals about their capacity to seek mental care services?

E) Importance of Questions

Use of multiple theories allows researches to approach the health issue from different approaches and different perspectives. By approaching from the theory of Planned Behavior, the researcher is mostly observing the perceived barriers from a physical and social perspective. On another level, by approaching from the Health Belief Model, the researcher observes through a lens of perceived threat and fear appeals as well as including any cues to action that may cause