Perceptions and intentions relating to seeking help for depression among medical undergraduates in Sri Lanka: A cross-sectional comparison with non-medical undergraduates

Abstract

Background: This study attempts to understand whether medical undergraduates in Sri Lanka would seek help for depression. This was done by examining their perceptions and intentions relating to seeking help for depression, using the responses of non-medical undergraduates as the baseline for comparison. Method: Medical (n∈=∈620) and non-medical undergraduates (n∈=∈4050) at the University of Colombo responded to a questionnaire which included a vignette about a depressed undergraduate, a depression measure, an open-ended question examining their intentions to seek help if affected by the problem described in the vignette, and scales examining their perceptions about the helpfulness of various..