The perspective and need of mental health services in university students: Moderating effects of parental depression

Abstract

Depression and anxiety is common across university students. A plethora of factors predispose the risk of depression and mental health problems in the concerned stakeholders that could range from academic performance to parental depression. The present study was a crosssectional survey that explored the lived experiences of University students (n=168) in terms of societal attitude and parental depression. The major purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychosocial support that is required by university students for overcoming the negative societal attitudes on the account of their history of parental depression. The study provided invaluable insights regarding the structure and approach of mental health support that is necessary for improving social functioning, academics, professional outlook in university students who experience societal stigma due to their behaviors stemming from parental depression. The study suggested that parenting style and societal support could help university students in overcoming negative societal attitudes. However, structured and well-designed mental health programs are strongly advocated for addressing social malfunctioning and behavioral problems including psychological problems in the concerned stakeholders. This study showed that although the students felt that mental health services provided within and beyond university settings might be effective, they should be preferably arranged outside university settings. One of the major barriers for soliciting mental health services within university settings was the stigma faced by the concerned stakeholders from their peers in terms of bullying and getting framed. Future studies should explore the content of mental health services in the target population.