Psychological distress literacy and predictors of help-seeking behaviour among youths in Lagos, Nigeria: A cross-sectional study
Esther O. Oluwole, Glory O. Fuwa, Olamijulo A. Fatiregun, Moses M. Afolayan, Alero A. RobertsABSTRACT
Background:
Mental health disorders are the leading contributors to years lived with disability worldwide, with nearly two-thirds of cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria. Approximately one in 6 youths experiences depression or anxiety. Despite this burden, psychological distress literacy remains low and help-seeking rates are poor. This study assessed psychological distress literacy related to depression and anxiety, patterns of help-seeking, and associated factors among youths in Lagos, Nigeria.
Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 418 youths aged 15–24 years recruited from selected communities using a multi-stage sampling technique in Lagos, Nigeria. Data were collected through a pretested, self-administered questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed, with the level of significance set at p < 0.05.
Results:
Approximately 26% of respondents demonstrated good knowledge of depression, and 31% showed good knowledge of anxiety. The prevalence of moderate-to-severe depressive and anxiety symptoms was 32.3% and 31.8%, respectively. Of the 63.4% of respondents who experienced emotional problems in the past year, approximately 86% reported seeking help. Most of these individuals (79.7%) relied primarily on informal sources of support. Age emerged as a significant predictor of formal help-seeking, as adolescents aged 15–19 years were less likely to access professional support compared to older youths (adjusted odds ratios = 0.31, 95% confidence intervals: 0.13–0.75,
Conclusion:
This study highlights low psychological distress literacy and high rates of moderate-to-severe depressive and anxiety symptoms among respondents, with most seeking help from informal sources. Younger adolescents were less likely to access professional care. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive mental health education, youth-friendly and culturally appropriate services, age-specific interventions, and policies that address systemic barriers to formal service utilization.