Stigma toward people living with mental health disorders in Iran: a qualitative study to inform stigma reduction interventions

People living with mental health disorders (MHDs) suffer from stigma, which largely leads to their social and economic exclusion and strongly discourages them from seeking care-seeking behaviours. Appropriate interventions aimed at reduce stigma can facilitate respect for human rights and social inclusion of people with these disorders. To explore the different stakeholders’ perspectives on interventions to reduce stigma toward people living with MHDs in Iran. This qualitative study was conducted from March to October 2025 via semi-structured one-to-one interviews. Purposive sampling was applied to recruit 22 participants, including patients, family members, psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses, healthcare providers, healthcare managers, health policymakers, and faculty members. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and content-analyzed using MAXQDA. The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist was applied to study reporting. Data analysis of the interviews revealed three main intervention levels, comprising eight subcategories. Subcategories at the national/structural intervention level included promoting the role of trustees and government organizations, improving community knowledge, attitudes and awareness, and strengthening the role of mass media. Interventions at Social/institutional level included gaining support from influential figures or groups, strengthening health service delivery structures, and proper human resource management. Finally, empowerment of individuals with MHDs and empowerment of families constituted sub-categories at the individual/interpersonal levels. This study highlighted the importance of various interventions at the national/structural, social/institutional, and individual/interpersonal levels. Collaboration among governmental and non-governmental organizations, people with MHDs and their families will be essential for meaningful progress.