Open access

Access to Mental Health Supports and Services: Perspectives of Young Women Living in Rural Nova Scotia (Canada)

Publication: Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
1 October 2021

Abstract

There is limited literature on youths’ experiences of accessing mental health supports and services in rural Canada. Through interviews with young women, this research explored barriers and facilitators to accessing mental health services and supports in rural Nova Scotia. Participants shared numerous barriers at the family, school, and community levels, including stigma from family, lack of knowledge of school supports, and limited community service options. Facilitators also existed at these three levels, including supportive parents, school-based service availability, and supportive community members. Increased investment in school-based services may improve access; however, an understanding of young men’s experiences is needed first.

Résumé

Peu de documentation existe sur les expériences vécues par les jeunes en matière d’accès aux services de soins et de soutien en santé mentale dans les régions rurales du Canada. Par le biais d’entrevues réalisées auprès de jeunes femmes, la présente étude explore les obstacles et les facteurs faisant entrave ou facilitant l’accès aux services de soins et de soutien en santé mentale dans les régions rurales de la Nouvelle-Écosse. Les participantes à l’étude ont fait part de nombreux obstacles rencontrés au niveau familial, scolaire et communautaire, notamment la stigmatisation de la part de la famille, les connaissances insuffisantes des mesures de soutien offertes en milieu scolaire et les options limitées en matière de services communautaires. L’existence de facilitateurs à chacun de ces niveaux a cependant été soulevée, lesquels se présentent notamment sous la forme de parents aidants, de la disponibilité de services d’aide en milieu scolaire et la présence d’accompagnateurs communautaires. Un investissement accru dans les services offerts en milieu scolaire pourrait en améliorer l’accès. Néanmoins, il convient en premier lieu de bien comprendre les expériences que vivent les jeunes hommes.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Volume 40Number 2July 2021
Pages: 89 - 103

History

Version of record online: 1 October 2021

Key Words

  1. adolescent
  2. mental disorders
  3. school health services
  4. rural population
  5. women’s health

Mots clés

  1. adolescentes
  2. troubles mentaux
  3. services de santé en milieu scolaire
  4. population rurale
  5. santé des femmes

Authors

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Holly Mathias [email protected]
Lois Jackson
Jean Hughes
Mark Asbridge

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