Mental health represents a significant global public health issue, impacting not only affected individuals but families and societies. Perceptions of people with a mental illness often result in stigmatization, casting doubt on their capacity, intelligence, and right to take advantage of opportunities provided by the global community, denying dignity and worth. Individuals experiencing mental health concerns are often viewed as responsible for their diagnosis, suggesting a lack of knowledge regarding the etiopathology of mental illness. A positive proactive approach to stigma reduction via enhanced mental health literacy is warranted. Research suggests that individual responsibility for a mental health condition is no longer relevant. A more informed perspective on mental health would be to view mental health challenges from a biopsychosocial perspective and understanding how genetics, socioeconomic status, environment, education, and access to healthcare intersect to affect well-being. Existing research offers numerous strategies for the reduction in mental health stigma at the individual, social/personal, and structural levels. A global shift in knowledge, attitudes and behavior regarding mental health concerns is needed. The objective of this narrative review is to critique the dynamics of mental health stigma; curate social, economic, environmental, and structural risk factors; and assess stigma reduction strategies at the micro-, mezzo-, and macrolevels. Allport’s intergroup contact theory and Goffman’s theory of social stigma companioned with research and case examples are used to discuss interventions and policies proffered to reduce mental health stigma at all three levels.
Livingston et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: