Falling through the cracks: an exploratory study regarding the perceived barriers to mental health services for rural and urban Cape Breton youth

Church, Mary-Jo (2014) Falling through the cracks: an exploratory study regarding the perceived barriers to mental health services for rural and urban Cape Breton youth. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Objective: In this study I explore perceived barriers to mental health services for rural and urban Cape Breton youth, investigate whether there are differences in the perceptions of rural and urban youth with respect to barriers to mental health services, and analyze whether age, gender and mental health status affect perceptions of barriers to mental health services. Method: Questionnaires measuring perceptions of barriers were administered to adolescents within 9 schools on Cape Breton Island. The Mann Whitney U Test was used to examine potential differences between rural and urban youth perceptions, and two-way ANOVAs were used to test whether age, gender or mental health status influenced perceptions of barriers to mental health. Results: Stigma, lack of proper education regarding mental health issues and lack of awareness regarding available resources were the greatest barriers overall. Rural youth perceived individual level barriers to be of greater concern, while urban youth perceived system level barriers to be of greater concern. Rural youth who had not reported any mental health issues perceived community level barriers as less important than all other youth. Conclusion: These findings suggest the need for increased education and awareness with respect to mental health using anti-stigma campaigns as a vehicle for promoting positive and accurate messaging. Further research using focus group designs will add depth and insight to the initial findings and will provide possible clues as to why rural adolescents with no mental health issues have a different view toward community level barriers.

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