Academic Stakeholders’ Level Of Perceived Barriers To Accessing Mental Healthcare

Abstract

This study examines the perceived barriers to accessing mental healthcare among academic stakeholders—students, faculty, and support service personnel—at a university in Davao City, Philippines. Utilizing a descriptive-comparative quantitative design, the research assessed instrumental, attitudinal, stigma, and discrimination barriers through two validated instruments: the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) and the Barriers to Access to Care Evaluation (BACE V3). Data from 540 respondents were analyzed using frequency, mean, standard deviation, One-way ANOVA, and t-tests.

Key findings revealed that most respondents (53.1%) reported moderate mental health, while 41.3% were flourishing and 5.6% were languishing. Individuals with languishing mental health faced significantly higher barriers across all categories (p < .001). Faculty members perceived the highest barriers, particularly attitudinal barriers (mean = 1.71) and stigma-related concerns, such as family judgment (mean = 1.62). Instrumental barriers, notably financial constraints (mean = 1.50), were prominent. Significant differences emerged across respondent categories, with faculty experiencing greater barriers than students (p < .001), but no significant variations were observed by sex or socioeconomic status.

The study underscores the critical need for targeted interventions addressing attitudinal resistance and stigma, particularly among faculty. An intervention plan, Mind Matters: A Holistic Mental Health and Wellness Program, was proposed, featuring monthly thematic workshops (e.g., mindfulness, burnout prevention) tailored to faculty and students. Anchored in the Biopsychosocial Model, this program aims to reduce barriers through peer support, skill-building, and institutional advocacy.

These findings contribute to the global academic and mental health discourse by highlighting context-specific barriers in a Philippine setting. They advocate for systemic reforms to enhance mental healthcare accessibility, emphasizing the role of institutional support in fostering resilience and equitable well-being.