Mental health help-seeking behavior among Ukrainian adults during the 2nd year of the 2022 Russian invasion: a cross-sectional study

Background: The escalation of the Russian war against Ukraine in 2022 resulted in a mental health crisis, requiring prompt and relevant care provision. Numerous services were launched or adjusted to address these issues. However, research reports various obstacles in some individuals, especially from vulnerable groups, to seek help for their mental health condition. This study focuses on the factors associated with mental health help-seeking behavior among Ukrainian adults during the 2nd year of the 2022 Russian invasion. Methods: An online survey was distributed from 12 October 2023 to 5 February 2024 and collected sociodemographic data, mental health status, and mental health help-seeking behavior during 12 months before survey, along with the Perceived Stress Scale, PTSD-Checklist V, Patient Health Questionnaire, and General Anxiety Disorder inventory. Results: A total of 9,967 Ukrainian adults (89.8% females) participated in the survey. Receiving mental health care during a year before survey was prevalent in 41.8% of the respondents (18.8% reported regular and 23% occasional visits). It was most significantly associated with a previously diagnosed mental health disorder, meeting PTSD threshold levels, war-forced displacement abroad and within the country, and not being a parent. Conclusion: These results report the high prevalence of mental health help-seeking behavior in wartime Ukraine, and highlight the role of official diagnosis in it, which appeared to be more influential than having symptoms of depression, anxiety, and perceived stress, except for high PTSD scores. War-forced displacement led people to seek mental health help more often. Parenthood was associated with receiving mental health help less regularly.