ReviewInternational journal of mental health systems2026
Determinants of mental health help-seeking in Europe: a systematic review based on the behavioural model of health services use.
Review in International journal of mental health systems, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundHelp-seeking behaviours for mental health are critical for timely intervention, yet vary widely across populations due to multiple influencing factors. These include demographics, psychological attitudes, sociocultural norms, stigma, and healthcare systems. This review aims to identify factor associated with help-seeking behaviours related to mental health across European countries, guided by Andersen’s Behavioural Model of Health Services Use.
methodsThis systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines, examining quantitative research published between January 2000 and October 2024 across PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Studies were eligible if they included only adult participants residing in European countries who reported mental health symptoms or diagnoses. Data extraction and synthesis focused on identifying key barriers, facilitators, and factors associated with help-seeking behaviour.
resultsSeventeen studies, primarily cross-sectional, met the inclusion criteria. Despite a high prevalence of mental disorders, these studies revealed a low perceived need for care. It was found that personal stigma significantly reduces help-seeking, while positive attitudes towards mental healthcare, higher psychological distress, longer symptom duration, and stronger internal locus of control increased help-seeking likelihood. Men, individuals with lower levels of education, and those from conservative social contexts were less likely to seek support. Structural barriers included inadequate social support and geographic disparities.
conclusionsThis review highlights modifiable factors, particularly stigma, mental health literacy and service accessibility. Addressing these through targeted interventions, such as educational campaigns, community-based programs, and early detection strategies, may improve mental health service utilisation across Europe. Future research should focus on longitudinal, intersectional, and culturally-sensitive studies to further refine effective mental health policies and interventions.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.