Seeking Psychiatric Attention Among University Students with Mental Health Problems: the Influence of Disease Perception

In addition to many other consequences, in university students, the deterioration in academic performance and the potential development of risky behaviours (including suicide and addictions) are related to untreated mental illness. Unfortunately, compared with the general population, this group seeks less attention in mental health. This study sought to analyse the components of the Model of Beliefs in Health and its relationship with the search for specialised care in a group of university students with mental health problems. This research was a qualitative study in which focused interviews were conducted with twenty-four university students. Among participants, mental illness was defined as a severe condition that they did not identify in themselves. Perceptions of mental illness were important in seeking attention; however, it was not enough for participants to have a theoretical knowledge of psychopathology. Added to theory, they needed be able to contextualise and personalise those skills to ensure the maintenance of treatments.