Healthcare-Seeking Behaviour for Mental Health Problems Among Adults in Gombe State

Background: Mental health disorders are vastly underdiagnosed and undertreated in Nigeria, partly due to stigma and reliance on traditional and religious healers. This study investigates healthcare-seeking behaviour for mental health problems among adults in the North East geopolitical zone, specifically in Gombe State. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 260 adults selected through multistage cluster sampling. A pre-tested structured questionnaire collected data on mental health literacy, prior experiences, and healthcare pathways for mental distress. Results: A large proportion of respondents first sought care from traditional or religious sources before approaching formal health facilities. Stigma was the most commonly reported barrier to formal psychiatric consultation. Low mental health literacy was significantly associated with delayed healthcare seeking. Conclusion: Suboptimal healthcare-seeking behaviour for mental illness in Gombe State reflects deeply entrenched cultural and structural barriers. Family medicine practitioners are uniquely positioned to integrate mental health screening into routine consultations and to challenge stigma through community engagement. Keywords: mental health, healthcare seeking, stigma, Gombe State, family medicine