Help-seeking behaviour in the context of mental health among healthcare workers

Many studies have been conducted to understand the causes of mental health issues. However, understanding the causes of mental health problems per se would not be enough to address the issue. The organization might have taken various initiatives to reduce the mental health issues in the workplace, but if the employees themselves reluctant to seek professional helps, the issues cannot be addressed completely. Therefore, this study is conducted with the intention to capture factors that might influence help-seeking behaviour among healthcare workers. The study examines the
direct relationship between mental health literacy, self-stigma, perceived behavioural control and help-seeking behaviour. A total of 370 questionnaire were distributed online through google form format to respondents at General Hospital of Kuala Lumpur and Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah after permission was granted by the
hospital’s management. Out of 370 questionnaire distributed, only 232 questionnaire were returned and usable for further analysis, yielding a response rate of 62.7%. Hypotheses for direct effect were tested using multiple regression analyses. Results showed that
self-stigma was significantly positively related to help-seeking behavior. The findings indicate that self-stigma does influence a person whether to go and seek help or not when facing with mental health issues. The study also found that perceived behavioural control was significantly negatively related to help-seeking behaviour. The findings indicate that perceived behavioural control was not a major determinant of intention to engage in a health behaviour and/or as a determinant of actually engaging in the behaviour. It is depended on people's perceptions of how simple or
difficult a behaviour is going to be executed. Therefore, the management need to provide support in encouraging healthcare workers go and seek help. Potential limitations and directions for future research are also discussed.