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BMC Geriatrics
Published in: BMC Geriatrics 1/2023

Open Access 01-12-2023 | Anxiety | Research

Barriers and facilitators of older adults for professional mental health help-seeking: a systematic review

Authors: Usra Elshaikh, Rayan Sheik, Raghad Khaled Mohammad Saeed, Tawanda Chivese, Diana Alsayed Hassan

Published in: BMC Geriatrics | Issue 1/2023

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Abstract

Background

Older adults are at an increased risk for mental health issues, yet they are less likely to seek professional help. This systematic review aims to identify and summarize literature on the barriers and facilitators that older adults face when seeking professional mental health help.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted using multiple databases including PubMed-Medline, EMBASE, ProQuest central, CINAHL and Scopus to identify relevant studies published between 2010 and 2021 that focused on barriers and/or facilitators to seeking help for depression, anxiety, and psychological distress among older adults aged 65 years or older. Studies’ risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and results of studies were synthesized guided by the methodological framework of Rodgers and colleagues.

Results

A total of eight cross-sectional studies, from Australia, United States, Mexico, Netherlands, and Malaysia met the inclusion criteria for this review. Included studies reported that the majority of their participants had anxiety or depression, yet they exhibited a preference for informal mental health help over professional help. Stigma, negative beliefs about mental health professional services, and cost were the most reported barriers. Main reported facilitators were prior positive experience with mental health services and high socioeconomic status.

Conclusion

Older adults are in need of interventions normalizing mental health help seeking and ensuring these services are accessible in terms of costs. This should be the focus of policy makers, healthcare providers, and public health practitioners working with older adults.

Protocol registration

PROSPERO 2021 CRD42021238853.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Barriers and facilitators of older adults for professional mental health help-seeking: a systematic review
Authors
Usra Elshaikh
Rayan Sheik
Raghad Khaled Mohammad Saeed
Tawanda Chivese
Diana Alsayed Hassan
Publication date
01-12-2023
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Geriatrics / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2318
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04229-x

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