Objectives: Findings have shown that many people do not seek help when experiencing psychological distress. The main aim of this paper was to examine the sociodemographic and health status factors that predict help seeking for self reported mental health problems for males and females from a general practitioner. Design:The analysis used data from the HRB National Psychological Wellbeing and Distress Survey -a telephone survey of the population aged 18 years and over. Methods:Telephone numbers were selected on a random probability basis. An initial set of random clusters was selected from the Geodirectory. Using these sampling areas, random digit dialling was used to generate a random telephone sample. Data were weighted on key variables. Respondents who reported mental health problems in the previous year were included in the current study (382 / 2674). Results:The findings showed gender differences in the models of predictors between males and females with more factors influencing attendance at the GP for males than for females. While only social limitations and access to free healthcare predicted female attendance, a range of sociodemographic and psychological factors influenced male attendance. Conclusions:Findings suggest that a 'gender sensitive approach' should be applied to mental health policies and mental health promotion and prevention programmes. Acknowledgement and awareness of the factors that influence help seeking will aid the design of gender specific promotion, prevention and treatment programmes at primary care level.

This study has shown that those with mental health problems use the internet to search for health information more often than those who have not experienced such problems. It has also shown that there is still a digital divide in terms of online health seeking, which is influenced by age, gender, education, and employment status. These findings highlight the need to address access, technological, psychological, and perceptual issues that may present barriers to the use of online health seeking.

A qualitative exploratory study investigated the experiences and needs of family carers of persons with enduring mental illness in Ireland. The current mixed-methods secondary study used content analysis and statistical procedures in order to identify and explore the coping strategies emerging from the original interviews. The majority of family carers reported use of active behavioural coping strategies, sometimes combined with active cognitive or avoidance strategies. The percentage of cares reporting use of active cognitive strategies was the lowest among those whose ill relative lived in their home, and the highest among those whose relative lived independently. Participants with identified active cognitive strategies often reported that their relative was employed or in training. Participants who reported use of avoidance strategies were significantly younger than participants who did not report use of such strategies. The lowest percentage of avoidance strategies was among participants whose ill relative lived independently, whereas the highest was among carers whose relative lived in their home. The findings of this study highlight the importance of a contextual approach to studying coping styles and processes. Further research questions and methodological implications are discussed.

The purpose of this paper is to present selected findings of a grounded theory study which aims to explore individual processes and desired outcomes of recovery from recurrent health problems in order to build up a theoretical framework of recovering in an Irish context.

Hip protectors have been shown to be effective in reducing the incidence of hip fracture among older people living in care homes (Parker et al, 2004). However, there are problems with compliance. This article reports findings from a survey of 138 staff from 23 care homes about experiences and perceptions of using hip protectors. The survey was complemented by qualitative case studies involving staff, to be linked to compliance with wearing hip protectors including comfort, acceptability to the resident and appearance. Few practical difficulties in using hip protectors were identified. Staff and residents' perceptions and experiences of using hip protectors vary and are likely to influence compliance.