A Qualitative Exploration of the Views of Policymakers and Policy Advisors on the Impact of Mental Health Stigma on the Development and Implementation of Mental Health Policy in Singapore

• Published in: Administration and policy in mental health and mental health services research Vol. 49; no. 3; pp. 404 - 414
• Main Authors: Subramaniam, Mythily, Shahwan, Shazana, Goh, Chong Min Janrius, Tan, Gregory Tee Hng, Ong, Wei Jie, Chong, Siow Ann
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.05.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Advisors; Barriers; Clinical Psychology; Data analysis; Health Administration; Health care delivery; Health care policy; Health Informatics; Health initiatives; Health planning; Health Policy; Help seeking behavior; Humans; Implementation; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mental disorders; Mental Disorders - therapy; Mental Health; Mental health care; Mental health policy; Mental health services; Original; Original Article; Personal experiences; Policy making; Program implementation; Psychiatry; Public Health; Qualitative Research; Rehabilitation; Singapore; Social Stigma; Stigma; Singapore; Mental health conditions; Policymakers; Stigma; Barriers to treatment
• ISSN: 0894-587X; 1573-3289; 1573-3289
• DOI: 10.1007/s10488-021-01171-1

Few studies have examined the views of policy makers regarding the impact of mental health stigma on the development and implementation of mental health policies. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap by exploring policymakers’ and policy advisors’ perspectives regarding the impact of mental health stigma on the development and implementation of mental health programmes, strategies, and services in Singapore. In all 13 participants were recruited for the study comprising practicing policymakers, senior staff of organisations involved in implementing the various mental health programmes, and policy advisors. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Data analysis revealed three superordinate themes related to challenges experienced by the policymakers/advisors when dealing with mental health policy and implementation of programmes. These themes included stigma as a barrier to mental health treatment, community-level barriers to mental health recovery, and mental health being a neglected need. Policymakers/advisors demonstrated an in-depth and nuanced understanding of the barriers (consequent to stigma) to mental healthcare delivery and access. Policymakers/advisors were able to associate the themes related to the stigma towards mental illness with help-seeking barriers based on personal experiences, knowledge, and insight gained through the implementation of mental health programmes and initiatives.