Stigma of seeking psychological help in college students

The purposes of this study were to determine: (a) whether public stigma associated with seeking psychological help was related to self-stigma associated with seeking psychological help, (b) whether self-stigma was related to help-seeking attitudes toward psychological help, (c) whether help-seeking attitudes were related to willingness to seek psychological help, (d) whether the effect of public stigma on help-seeking attitudes was fully mediated through self-stigma, and (e) whether the effect of public stigma on help-seeking willingness was fully mediated through self-stigma and help-seeking attitudes. The current study found that public stigma was significantly and positively related to self-stigma. Self-stigma was significantly and negatively related to help-seeking attitudes. Help-seeking attitudes were significantly and positively related to help-seeking willingness. Self-stigma mediated the relationship between public stigma and help-seeking attitudes. However, self-stigma and help-seeking attitudes did not mediate the relationship between public stigma and help-seeking willingness. Implications for research and practice are discussed.