| There have been few studies investigating the barriers to seeking mental health care faced by medical students despite a large body of literature describing the unique vulnerabilities of this population including higher psychiatric morbidity. This study aimed to confirm the increased prevalence of depression in students as an indication of existing mental health needs and subsequently identify perceived barriers to seeking mental health care within the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. A survey was distributed in the spring of 2007 which included demographic information, depression screening using PHQ-MD, self-reports of mental health help-seeking behaviors and a rating of 13 perceived barriers. Thirty-five percent of students had scores suggesting moderate-severe depression, with women scoring higher than men. Thirty-three percent of students felt they would benefit from consulting a mental health professional at the time of the study, including sixty-three percent of the depressed students. The highest rated barrier was time, followed by cost, potential for documentation in academic record, and concern for professional consequences.;The findings suggest that a considerable percentage of students have symptoms of moderate to severe depression although many are not seeking out care. The identification of significant barriers, particularly among the subgroups studied, can aid administrators in reshaping education and policy to reduce these obstacles, allow for more students to accept mental health services. |
