Self-diagnosis and help-seeking behaviours: the impact of self-diagnosis in seeking counselling

ObjectiveThis study explores the impact of self-diagnosis via social media on help-seeking attitudes and counselling service utilization among college students. With increasing numbers of young adults using social media to self-diagnose mental health concerns, it is essential to understand whether this behaviour translates into seeking professional help.MethodA cluster sampling method was employed to survey participants from 30 community colleges across 15 states within the United States of America. The sample included 777 college students, and data were analysed using chi-square and ANOVA tests to assess the relationship between self-diagnosis through social media and help-seeking behaviours.ResultsThe findings indicate that self-diagnosis via social media does not significantly predict seeking mental health services. Despite the high prevalence of self-diagnosis, only 47% of participants with mental health concerns pursued counselling, while 53% relied on self-diagnosis without professional guidance.DiscussionThese results highlight the complexity of mental health decision-making processes and suggest that self-diagnosis does not necessarily lead to professional help-seeking. This study underscores the need for mental health professionals to address the role of social media in clients' self-diagnosis and outreach efforts. Future research should examine the long-term effects of social media-driven self-diagnosis and its impact on diverse demographics to guide targeted mental health interventions.