FACTORS AFFECTING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTHCARE AMONG YOUTHS IN MAKURDI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT Across the globe, there is a growing recognition of the significance of mental health and the field of psychiatry within medical specialties. Factors affecting access to mental healthcare among youths varies not only across countries and regions, but also within a particular country. This study is on the Economic, Social, Cultural and Healthcare factors affecting access to mental healthcare among youths in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State. The study made use of the Health Belief Model and the Andersons Behavioural Model. The study adopted cross sectional survey research design. The area under study was Makurdi LGA, Benue State, Nigeria. The population of the study was youths between the ages of 18-35 years. The sample size determination formula by Taro Yamen was used to determine the minimum sample size of 400. The instruments used in the study were questionnaires and Key Informants Interview (KII) guide. The data collected in this study were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools as well as manual content analysis.Findings indicate economic factors affecting access to mental healthcare among youths such as lower incomes and financial instability, unemployment and insecurity, social inequality and discrimination, affordability, and crisis and recession, also social factors such as social support and strong social network, stigma, isolation and loneliness, lack of awareness, discrimination, cultural factors such as different cultures and beliefs, language differences, gender roles, acculturation, and healthcare factors such as inadequate healthcare funding, lack pf qualified mental healthcare practitioners/providers, lack of policy implantation, high cost of mental treatment. In conclusion the study reveals that, lower income and financial instability, different cultures and beliefs, stigma, and high cost of mental health treatment are the leading causes of economic, social, cultural, and healthcare factors affecting access to mental healthcare among youths in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State. The study recommends thatthere is urgent need to improve on education and awareness on mental health, policies should be put in place that can ensure accessibility and affordability of mental health treatment to members of the society especially the youths, good mental health facilities should be built and made easily accessible.