Mixed-Methods Examination of Adolescent-Reported Barriers to Accessing Mental Health Services

Purpose: Many adolescents struggle to access the mental healthcare they need. To increase access to mental health services, we must have a clear understanding of the barriers adolescents face from their own perspectives. This online mixed-methods study aimed to enhance understanding of access barriers by centering the perspectives of diverse adolescents who had recently tried and Methods: In this convergent parallel mixed-methods study, adolescents responded to a preintervention, open-ended question about barriers they have faced to accessing mental health Results: All adolescents (aged 11-17 years, 50% racially minoritized youth, 15% gender diverse youth, 64% LGBTQ + youth; 78% with clinically elevated depressive symptoms) reported at least one barrier to accessing mental health support, and 20% reported multiple barriers. Content financial constraints. Asian adolescents, adolescents who were aged 17 years or more, and ado (c) 2023 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. All rights reserved.