Professional Psychological Help-Seeking Experience of Adolescents With Depressive Disorder: A Qualitative Study

PURPOSE: The current study explored adolescents' experiences in seeking professional psychological help for depressive disorder, aiming to inform targeted health education and intervention programs. METHOD: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 19 adolescent inpatients with depressive disorder at a tertiary psychiatric hospital in Henan Province between June and September 2024, using purposive sampling. Interview data were systematically analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step method. RESULTS: (relief of mental and physical symptoms, emotional stability, social support). CONCLUSION: Mental health professionals should pay close attention to the challenges and needs faced by adolescents in the help-seeking process, provide guidance to correct misconceptions, reduce self-stigma, encourage emotional expression, and expand access to professional psychological help, to increase the likelihood of adolescents seeking psychological treatment.