Symptom Burden and Help-Seeking Behavior in the Austrian General Population: From Problem to Psychotherapy in Different Population Groups from a Psychotherapeutic Perspective.

Current studies indicate that the mental health of the Austrian general population has significantly deteriorated since the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns, social isolation, and uncertainties have led to an increase in psychological distress, which has remained high even after the lifting of COVID-related restrictions. Young people with a migration background have been particularly affected, as they often face additional stressors such as language barriers, cultural differences, and financial challenges. Migrant families frequently have limited access to psychotherapeutic services. Barriers such as a lack of knowledge about the healthcare system, stigma surrounding mental health issues, and cultural differences in understanding mental health complicate access to professional help. Research shows that migrants are less likely to seek therapeutic support, often relying on informal networks or alternative healing methods instead. As a result, many individuals with a migration background live with untreated mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety disorders, which burden not only themselves but also their families and society at large. To address these challenges, culturally sensitive therapeutic approaches, the inclusion of interpreters, awareness programs about mental health, and training therapists in intercultural competence are necessary. These measures could help lower barriers and improve access to psychotherapeutic treatment for individuals with a migration background. Given the existing knowledge gaps regarding specific barriers and facilitators that influence access to psychotherapeutic care for young people with a migration background in Austria, there is an urgent need for targeted research. To obtain a comprehensive picture of help-seeking behavior, a representative survey of the general population will be conducted. Validated questionnaires will be used to assess help-seeking behavior and symptom burden, allowing for anonymous comparisons between individuals with and without a migration background. This survey will also enable the analysis of differences in symptom burden, health-related quality of life, and help-seeking behavior, ultimately contributing to the optimization of psychotherapeutic care in Austria.