Mental Health Assessment and Help-Seeking Behavior Among College Students: Basis for Mental Health Program in School

Mental health assessment and help-seeking behavior are critical factors in understanding how college students cope with academic, social, and personal challenges. Awareness of mental health status shapes students’ responses to stress, while help-seeking behavior reflects their willingness to access support services. This study aimed to assess the mental health status and determine the help-seeking behavior of college students to inform the enhancement of school-based mental health programs. A comparative descriptive quantitative design was employed. The study was conducted at Medina College–Ozamiz, Philippines, involving 307 college students from various programs, including Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Pharmacy, Medical Technology, and Teacher Education. Total enumeration sampling was used, and data were collected via a structured questionnaire consisting of three parts: demographic profile, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-42), and a Help-Seeking Behavior questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Kruskal–Wallis tests to examine significant differences across demographic groups. Students exhibited moderate levels of depression, severe levels of anxiety, and mild levels of stress. Help-seeking behavior was generally average, with high perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and cues to action, but average perceived barriers. No significant differences were observed in mental health status or help-seeking behavior when grouped by sex, year level, or course. Findings indicate prevalent mental health challenges among students, with general awareness of their condition but moderate engagement in help-seeking due to certain barriers. These results underscore the need for comprehensive and accessible mental health interventions in higher education institutions.