Mental health stigma update: a review of consequences

• Published in: Advances in mental health Vol. 12; no. 3; pp. 197 - 210
• Main Authors: Sickel, Amy E, Seacat, Jason D, Nabors, Nina A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.12.2014
• Subjects: Health care; Medical treatment; Mental health; Mental illness; Stigma; Well-being
• ISSN: 1838-7357

Mental illness remains a pervasive social issue that affects the well-being of millions of individuals globally. Despite the overall prevalence of mental illness, increasing numbers of individuals needing mental health treatment do not receive it. Mental Health Stigma (MHS) has been proposed as a significant barrier to seeking/obtaining mental health treatment. Mounting evidence suggests that MHS is experienced in virtually all life domains and that it may significantly influence multiple health outcomes, including treatment seeking behavior. The current review paper uniquely contributes to the literature on mental health stigma in at least four ways. First, this paper provides a recent overview of the prevalence and social costs of mental illness in society. Second, this paper presents a current literature review of MHS and helps to elucidate the impact of MHS on a range of individual outcomes, including psychological and physical health. Third, this paper specifically reviews existing literature on understanding the relationship between MHS and treatment seeking behavior. This is the first known review paper to focus specifically on the MHS - treatment seeking relationship. Finally, the paper presents implications for future research on MHS and treatment seeking which may lead to the development of theory-based interventions to address MHS in clinical practice.