Study findings indicated that teens’ perceptions of positive or negative social consequences were a critical component in their willingness to use mental health services, and were informed by their mental health experience and knowledge. The anticipation of negative responses towards mental health care-seeking from family members, peers, and school staff are key factors in teens’ comfort and willingness to address mental health concerns. Critical information is presented on the factors that contribute to the development of stigma and emphasizes the need to address stigma in youth mental health education, programs, and treatment plans. Unmet mental health need was a significant problem for adolescents. Although stigma was identified as a major barrier to the use of mental health services among youth, there is limited research on this topic. This study conducted in-depth interviews among a sample of 57 eighth grade students in a suburban, mid-Atlantic community. The interviews portray adolescent mental health attitudes and how these views were shaped. Figures, tables, references