Abstract
Background: Stigma of mental ill-health and attitudes towards help-seeking are recognized barriers to seeking professional help, and have previously been linked to the type of support services available.
Aims: This study examined if the introduction of community-based mental health services to an area impacts mental health stigma and attitudes towards professional help-seeking amongst local residents.
Method: A repeated cross-sectional study comprising of community surveys in two localities was carried out before and after community-based mental health services were introduced (N = 1074). Measures including perceived public and self-stigma of mental ill-health, and attitudes towards seeking professional help were compared across the two time points.
Results: Both public and self-stigma were significantly lower, and attitudes towards seeking professional help significantly more positive, after community-based mental health services had been introduced in each locality.
Conclusions: The presence of local, accessible mental health services can positively impact help-seeking behaviour by reducing stigma and changing norms and attitudes around professional help-seeking.
Aims: This study examined if the introduction of community-based mental health services to an area impacts mental health stigma and attitudes towards professional help-seeking amongst local residents.
Method: A repeated cross-sectional study comprising of community surveys in two localities was carried out before and after community-based mental health services were introduced (N = 1074). Measures including perceived public and self-stigma of mental ill-health, and attitudes towards seeking professional help were compared across the two time points.
Results: Both public and self-stigma were significantly lower, and attitudes towards seeking professional help significantly more positive, after community-based mental health services had been introduced in each locality.
Conclusions: The presence of local, accessible mental health services can positively impact help-seeking behaviour by reducing stigma and changing norms and attitudes around professional help-seeking.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 289-295 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Journal of Mental Health |
| Volume | 28 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 20 Nov 2018 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- community
- help-seeking
- Mental health
- service provision
- stigma
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
