Barriers and enablers for young people in accessing Mental Health Services. A Case study of the Youth Friendship Bench · Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Author

Mahofa, Sithabiso D.

Title

Barriers and enablers for young people in accessing Mental Health Services. A Case study of the Youth Friendship Bench

Abstract

This qualitative study explored the factors influencing young people’s access to mental health services at Youth Friendship Bench in Dzivarasekwa Harare, Zimbabwe. The study had three pronged objectives which include (1) identify contemporary causes of mental health challenges among youths, (2) examine barriers for young people to access mental health services, and (3) determine facilitators that improve young people’s access to mental health services at Youth Friendship Bench, Dzivarasekwa centre. The study was grounded on interpretivism research philosophy employing a qualitative research approach. Using a case study design, the study focused on youth aged 18 to 24 years and conveniently sampled 12 young people who had accessed services at Youth Friendly Bench and purposively selected three key informants (a community health worker, social worker, and psychologist). In-depth interviews were used to collect data, and face to face interviews were conducted with both young people and key informants. Data was then analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed that unemployment, poverty, relationship conflicts, social media pressures, academic stress, and unresolved grief were key contributors to mental health struggles among youth. Barriers to service access included low mental health literacy, stigma, financial constraints, mistrust in services, and infrastructural challenges such as unreliable electricity and internet connectivity. However, youth-friendly approaches such as empathetic peer support, flexible counseling, digital platforms, and community-based outreach proved effective in facilitating access. The study underscores the need for integrated, multi-level interventions that combine mental health education, economic empowerment, and innovative service delivery models. Recommendations include policy reforms to strengthen youth mental health support, community stigma reduction campaigns, and expanded digital mental health services. These insights highlight the importance of culturally sensitive, accessible, and youth-centered care in addressing mental health disparities in low-resource settings.

Date

June 2025

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Young People

Mental Health

Youth Friendship Bench

Supervisor

Mr. Sadomba