HELP-SEEKING BEHAVIOR FOR MENTAL HEALTH AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN RURAL INDONESIA

Abstract

Perinatal mental health disorders are a global health issue with substantial implications for maternal and child well-being. However, help-seeking behavior for mental health among pregnant women in rural areas remains underexplored, particularly in Indonesia, where access to professional services is limited. This study aimed to examine the actual and intended help-seeking behaviors for mental health among pregnant women in rural Indonesia. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 125 pregnant women with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores ≥ 13. Respondents were asked about their mental health help-seeking behavior over the past three months and their future intentions regarding sources of support, including family, community, and healthcare providers. A descriptive analysis was employed to identify patterns in both actual behavior and future intentions. In the past three months, the majority of respondents sought help from their husbands (84%), parents (64.8%), and general healthcare providers (68.8%). Only 40% consulted mental health professionals, and 38.4% reported not perceiving a need for such services. In contrast, future intentions showed an increase: 76.8% planned to access professional mental health services, alongside continued reliance on husbands (100%) and parents (92%). Intentions to seek help from friends (50.4%), neighbors (42.4%), and religious leaders (40%) remained relatively low. The findings highlight the central role of husbands and parents in providing mental health support to pregnant women in rural Indonesia, while the utilization of professional services remains limited despite higher intentions. Bridging the gap between actual behavior and intention requires interventions that engage family members and integrate mental health services into primary maternal healthcare.