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Abstract
Objective: To determine the instrumental, stigma-related, and attitudinal barriers to seeking mental health support among medical students and examine variations between undergraduate and graduate levels.
Methods: In 2025, a cross-sectional study was conducted at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad. The sample size was calculated to be 192. Undergraduate and postgraduate medical students above 18 years were included, while those with severe psychiatric disorders or prior mental health service use were excluded from the study. Data were collected via e-form using the Barriers to Access to Care Evaluation (BACE v3) questionnaire. Analysis was performed using SPSS 26, with independent sample t-tests applied (p < 0.05 considered significant).
Results: A total of 217 responses were analysed. The mean age was 27.2 years; 56.7% (N=123) were women and 43.3% (N=94) were men. Attitude-related barriers were the most reported (28.1%, N=61), including beliefs in self-resolution. Self-stigma concerns (25.3%, N=55) and time constraints were significant. The overall mean BACE score was 1.07, higher in postgraduates (1.11) than in undergraduates (0.966).
Conclusion: Access to mental health support is hindered by personal beliefs, workplace stigma, and structural constraints on nurses. Initiatives such as anti-stigma campaigns, confidential counselling services, flexible scheduling, and institutional support programs are crucial for encouraging help-seeking and improving medical students’ well-being.
Keywords: Help-Seeking Behavior, Medical student, Mental health, Psychological Distress
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