2016•Asia-Pacific PsychiatryRequires access

The delaying effect of stigma on mental health help‐seeking in Sri Lanka

Sunera M Fernando, Frank P. Deane, Hamish J. McLeod

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Mental health stigma has been associated with delays in seeking treatment. AIMS: To describe perceived stigma experienced by patients and carers in Sri Lanka and to determine the effects of stigma on help-seeking delay. METHODS: Survey of outpatients and family carers (n = 118 dyads) attending two psychiatric hospitals in Sri Lanka, using the Disclosure and Discrimination subscales of the Stigma Scale. RESULTS: Stigma was positively related to help-seeking delay for carers but not patients. Public stigma experienced by carers accounted for 23% of the variance in help-seeking delay. CONCLUSION: Reducing stigma may reduce help-seeking delays during the course of treatment.

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Key concepts: Sri lanka, Stigma (botany), Help-seeking, Mental health, Psychiatry, Clinical psychology, Social stigma, Psychology