Public perception attitude and awareness toward mental illness in Palestine

Globally, mental health conditions, services, and professionals tend to be viewed in a negative light. Mental health conditions, which the World Health Organization describes as significant disturbances in behavior, emotion, or thinking, are a public health issue across all age groups. This study aimed to assess public perceptions, attitudes, and awareness toward mental illness in Palestine. A cross-sectional design was utilized between October and November of 2025. The study population consisted of all Palestinians in the West Bank. The total sample size was 1,360 participants. Convenience sampling was used to collect the data. An online self-administered questionnaire, adapted from a similar study conducted in Iraq, was distributed in public places and on social media platforms. A total of 1,360 participants were included. Overall item-level awareness/endorsement of mental illness etiology was 48.8% (3,978/8,160 item responses; 95% CI: 47.7–49.8), and the mean awareness score was 2.93 out of 6 (SD = 1.47; 95% CI: 2.85–3.00). Most participants had good perceptions of people with mental illness (1,147/1,360; 84.3%; 95% CI: 82.3–86.2). Similarly, 1,091 participants (80.2%; 95% CI: 78.0–82.3) showed positive attitudes toward people with mental illness. However, attitudes toward care and treatment were mostly negative, with 903 participants (66.4%; 95% CI: 63.8–68.9) classified as having negative attitudes toward care and treatment. This study provides descriptive evidence on public awareness, perceptions, and attitudes toward mental illness among a large convenience sample in Palestine. Although participants generally reported positive perceptions and attitudes toward people with mental illness, important gaps remained in awareness of mental illness etiology and in attitudes toward care and treatment. Because convenience sampling and online recruitment were used, the findings should be interpreted cautiously and should not be considered nationally representative.