This policy brief outlines the results of a study which explored the experiences of psychiatric stigma of service users in order to inform interventions to reduce such stigma and discrimination in one LMIC, namely South Africa.
The study found that psychiatric stigma was perpetuated by family members, friends, employers, community members and health care providers. Causes of psychiatric stigma identified included misconceptions about mental illness often leading to delays in help-seeking. Experiencing psychiatric stigma was reported to worsen the health of service users and impede their capacity to recover and lead normal lives.
Author
Catherine O Egbe, Carrie Brooke-Summer, Tasneem Kathree, One Selohilwe, Graham Thornicroft and Inge Petersen
