How stigma interferes with mental health care.

TLDR

Many people who could benefit from mental health services opt not to pursue them or fail to fully participate once they have begun, largely due to stigma that diminishes self‑esteem and robs social opportunities. The study reviews recommendations for ongoing research to more comprehensively expand understanding of the stigma‑care seeking link. The authors review existing literature and recommendations to inform future research on stigma and care seeking. Implications for developing antistigma programs that might promote care seeking and participation are also reviewed.

Abstract

Many people who would benefit from mental health services opt not to pursue them or fail to fully participate once they have begun. One of the reasons for this disconnect is stigma; namely, to avoid the label of mental illness and the harm it brings, people decide not to seek or fully participate in care. Stigma yields 2 kinds of harm that may impede treatment participation: It diminishes self-esteem and robs people of social opportunities. Given the existing literature in this area, recommendations are reviewed for ongoing research that will more comprehensively expand understanding of the stigma-care seeking link. Implications for the development of antistigma programs that might promote care seeking and participation are also reviewed.