The Stigma of Mental Illness in Asian Cultures

OBJECTIVE: This article reviews the attitudes towards mental illness and psychiatric stigma in Asian cultures. METHOD: Relevant literature published in English was reviewed. RESULTS: Psychiatric stigmas in Asian cultures share some common features. However, response to mental illness has many variations across cultures. Psychiatric stigma is prevalent and severe in some but not all Asian cultures. CONCLUSIONS: The stigma of mental illness needs to be studied within its sociocultural context in order to understand its origins, meanings and consequences. It may be relevant to examine the indigenous concepts, experience and implications of psychological problems to address problems in mental health care relating to stigma.