- Help-seeking is a dynamic, non-linear process with students moving between self-reliance, nonprofessional, semi-formal, and professional supports.
- Self-reliance and self-help often initiate help-seeking, delaying or substituting for professional care.
- Flexible, accessible, integrated mental health systems are needed to align with student preferences and promote timely help-seeking.
J Am Coll Health. 2026 Oct 14:1-7. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2026.2745119. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To develop a grounded theoretical understanding of how female college students navigate mental health help-seeking.
PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two self-identified female undergraduate students aged 18-30 years from a public university in Canada.
METHODS: A qualitative study using a constructivist grounded theory approach was conducted. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using constant comparative methods.
RESULTS: Four themes were identified: self-reliance and self-help, nonprofessional support, semi-formal and integrated support, and professional support. Findings revealed that help-seeking is a dynamic and non-linear process, with students moving between multiple sources of support depending on their needs and context. Self-reliance often served as the initial step, while professional support was least utilized.
CONCLUSIONS: The diverse pathways of mental health support sources theory highlight the need for flexible, accessible, and integrated mental health systems that align with students’ preferences and promote timely help-seeking.
PMID:42875389 | DOI:10.1080/07448481.2026.2745119
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