Facilitating mental health help seeking in young adults: the underlying theory and development of an online navigation tool
Abstract
Objective: This paper describes the theoretical basis of the Link program, a world-first dedicated online navigation tool to facilitate mental health help-seeking for young adults.Method: Several theories of help-seeking and behaviour change were explored to determine a useful theoretical framework for the Link program, a world-first dedicated online navigation tool to facilitate mental health help-seeking for young adults.Results: Four commonly used theories of behavioural change were examined with the Theory of Planned Behaviour found to best match the objectives of the Link program. Previous interventions aimed at increasing help-seeking behaviour and intentions using the Theory of Planned Behaviour found that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control beliefs have a role in help-seeking. Combined with elements of the Help Seeking Model, due to its specificity in mental health help-seeking, the Theory of Planned Behaviour was selected as the theoretical framework of the Link program. The resultant prototype allows young adults to enter information about an issue they are facing, the severity of the issue, and the type of services they prefer. Recommendations for information or services are then presented based upon these individual needs.Discussion: Little is known about the effects online services have on emotional affect and whether these services facilitate help-seeking in young people. Detailed description of this developmental work will assist in understanding the mechanisms underpinning the Link program. Further research will evaluate the effectiveness of the Link program in improving help-seeking, emotions, and mental health outcomes.
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Recent research has attempted to improve rates of mental health help-seeking through TPB-based interventions, but these are yet to be reviewed.
“Recent research has attempted to improve rates of mental health help-seeking through TPB-based interventions [37–39], however these are yet to be reviewed.”
From Explaining adults’ mental health help-seeking through the lens of the theory of planned behavior: A scoping review (2022) · cites this paper as [37]
An online navigation tool for young adults designed to match participants with appropriate services did not demonstrate improvements in help-seeking intentions; changes in other TPB variables were not assessed.
“Finally, an online navigation tool for young adults designed to match participants with appropriate services did not demonstrate improvements in help-seeking intentions; changes in other TPB variables were not assessed [37, 38].”
From Explaining adults’ mental health help-seeking through the lens of the theory of planned behavior: A scoping review (2022) · cites this paper as [37]
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- Authors
- Kauer, S., Buhagiar, K., & Sanci, L.
- Affiliations
- The University of Melbourne (AU)
- ReachOut, Pyrmont, NSW, Australia
- Corresponding author
- Kauer, Sylvia
- Venue
- Advances in Mental Health
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2016-10-31
- Volume
- 15
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 71-87
- ISSN
- 1446-7984 (ISSN-L)
- 1838-7357
- 1837-4905
- OpenAlex
- W2546870163
- Cited by
- 22
- References
- 50
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 5 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 2
- FWCI
- 4.63
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Advances in Mental Health (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre
- University of Melbourne
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
- Keywords
- mental health help-seeking, young adults, theory of planned behavior, behaviour change theory, help-seeking intentions, online mental health services
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