(PS8-100) Youth Perceptions of Mental Health Stigma

Mental health concerns in adolescence are a significant and relatively common problem associated with a host of negative outcomes related to relationships, physical health, and academic performance (Kessler et al., 2012). Despite these serious impacts, many adolescents with mental health concerns do not receive treatment (Gorfinkel et al., 2023). Although a variety of structural, logistical, and informational barriers may prevent young people from receiving help, research suggests that mental health stigma is a prominent barrier to help-seeking among youth (Ferrie et al., 2020). While a substantial body of literature documents the presence of mental health stigma among young people, there is a need for further research examining their experience of mental health stigma. The present study aims to center youth voices by exploring their unique perceptions of the influences and impacts of stigma and how to combat it.

Participants were 705 young people aged 14-24 from The National MyVoice Text Message Cohort. Participants were sent text message polls which consisted of five open-ended prompts addressing youth’s experience of stigma and how it impacts their access to mental health care. A team of investigators analyzed qualitative text data using thematic analysis as described by Braun and Clark (2006). Dummy-coded variables were created for each of the finalized themes. Participants were considered to have “endorsed” a theme if any of their responses across the five prompts was coded as part of a theme. Logistic regressions were then conducted to examine relationships among themes and participant demographic characteristics.

Thematic analysis indicated four themes: (1) perceptions of high levels of ignorance about mental health (2) a continuum from a desire for greater openness to a desire for privacy related to mental health (3) feeling shamed and dismissed for mental health concerns, and (4) the role of adults in perpetuating mental health stigma and adults’ responsibility in combating it. Logistic regressions revealed differences in the endorsement of themes based on age, gender, and race and ethnicity.

Results from the present study demonstrate that young people continue to experience shame, judgment, and ridicule surrounding mental health that perpetuates stigma and impedes help-seeking. To combat stigma, findings suggest a need for improved mental health literacy and emphasize the central and gatekeeping role caregivers may play. Findings also demonstrate that youth experiences with mental health stigma are not monolithic, and may vary based on age, gender, and race and ethnicity. This study highlights the value of youth voices and the importance of centering the experiences of young people to address mental health stigma in their lives. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.