Sara Evans?Lacko|Elaine Brohan|Ramin Mojtabai|Graham Thornicroft
Association between public views of mental illness and self-stigma among individuals with mental illness in 14 European countries
King's College London|King's College London|Johns Hopkins University|King's College London
background little known views public related selfstigma among people mental health problems despite increasing activity aimed reducing mental illness stigma little evidence guide inform specific antistigma campaign development messages used mass campaigns better understanding association public knowledge attitudes behaviours internalization stigma among people mental health problems needed method study links two large international datasets explore association public stigma 14 european countries eurobarometer survey individual reports selfstigma perceived discrimination empowerment among persons mental illness n 1835 residing countries global alliance mental illness advocacy networks gamian study results individuals mental illness living countries less stigmatizing attitudes higher rates helpseeking treatment utilization better perceived access information lower rates selfstigma perceived discrimination living countries public felt comfortable talking people mental illness less selfstigma felt empowered conclusions targeting general public mass antistigma interventions may lead virtuous cycle disrupting negative feedback engendered public stigma thereby reducing selfstigma among people mental health problems combined approach involving knowledge attitudes behaviour needed mass interventions facilitate disclosure positive social contact may effective improving availability information mental health issues facilitating access care helpseeking also show promise regard stigma