Abera GetachewNuhamin Teferi2026-08-192026-08-192026-05https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/8885Mental health help-seeking among adolescents remains a critical yet underexplored issue in the Ethiopian educational context. This study examined the perceived benefits and perceived barriers associated with help-seeking intention for mental health counseling and explored the role of social support among students at Bole Secondary and Preparatory School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. the The study employed a quantitative cross-sectional correlational research design. Data were collected from 275 students selected through a multistage sampling procedure using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive findings indicated that students generally held positive perceptions regarding the benefits of mental health counseling and reported relatively high intentions to seek professional help when experiencing emotional or psychological difficulties. However, students also reported high levels of perceived barriers, particularly self-reliance, concerns about confidentiality, stigma, and fear of social judgment. Family support emerged as the strongest source of social support among respondents. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that perceived barriers had the strongest positive relationship with help-seeking intention (r = .554, p < .001), followed by social support (r = .271, p < .001). Multiple regression analysis further demonstrated that perceived barriers were the strongest predictor of help-seeking intention (β = .560, p < .001), followed by social support (β = .234, p < .001), while perceived benefits did not significantly predict help-seeking intention (β = .080, p = .122). Collectively, the predictor variables explained 38.1% of the variance in help-seeking intention (R² = .381, F(3, 271) = 55.619, p < .001). Hierarchical regression analysis also indicated that social support made a significant contribution to the prediction of help-seeking intention, highlighting the importance of supportive family, peer, and school relationships in facilitating access to mental health services. The study concludes that students’ intentions to seek mental health counseling are influenced more strongly by perceived barriers and social support than by their beliefs regarding the benefits of counseling. The findings underscore the need for schools to strengthen counseling services, reduce stigma, address confidentiality concerns, and actively engage families and school communities in promoting positive mental health helpseeking behaviors among adolescents. Key words: Perceived Benefits, Perceived Barriers, Help-Seeking Intention, Social Support, Mental Health Counseling,enPerceived BenefitsPerceived BarriersHelp-Seeking IntentionSocial SupportMental Health CounselingThesis