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Suggested avenues to reduce the stigma of mental illness in the Middle East

Author

Listed:
  • Ahmed M Sewilam
  • Annie MM Watson
  • Ahmed M Kassem
  • Sue Clifton
  • Margaret C McDonald
  • Rebecca Lipski
  • Smita Deshpande
  • Hader Mansour
  • Vishwajit L Nimgaonkar

Abstract

Background: Stigma toward mentally ill individuals acts as a barrier to accessing care and receiving treatment. Aim: To review current evidence pertaining to stigma toward mental illness in the Middle East in order to inform effective and sustainable interventions in this region. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search using the PubMed database and evaluated all identified studies according to specific inclusion criteria. Results: Stigma toward individuals with mental illness does exist in the Middle East. Stigmatizing attitudes are particularly high toward culturally proscribed mental illnesses like alcohol abuse and lower for other disorders such as depression and psychosis. Conclusions: We propose the following initiatives to reduce stigma toward mental illness in the Middle East: (a) educate families to enable them to support their affected relatives, (b) increase cooperation between psychiatrists and faith healers and (c) educate young people in schools to increase their awareness and understanding of mental illnesses and to combat negative stereotypes.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahmed M Sewilam & Annie MM Watson & Ahmed M Kassem & Sue Clifton & Margaret C McDonald & Rebecca Lipski & Smita Deshpande & Hader Mansour & Vishwajit L Nimgaonkar, 2015. "Suggested avenues to reduce the stigma of mental illness in the Middle East," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 61(2), pages 111-120, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:61:y:2015:i:2:p:111-120
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764014537234
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Flora Cohen, 2023. "Cultural idioms of distress among displaced populations: A scoping review," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 69(1), pages 5-13, February.
    2. Zhisong Zhang & Kaising Sun & Chonnakarn Jatchavala & John Koh & Yimian Chia & Jessica Bose & Zhimeng Li & Wanqiu Tan & Sizhe Wang & Wenjing Chu & Jiayun Wang & Bach Tran & Roger Ho, 2019. "Overview of Stigma against Psychiatric Illnesses and Advancements of Anti-Stigma Activities in Six Asian Societies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-23, December.
    3. Naser M. Alotaibi & Moh A. Alkhamis & Mashael Alrasheedi & Khuloud Alotaibi & Latifa Alduaij & Fatemah Alazemi & Danah Alfaraj & Danah Alrowaili, 2024. "Psychological Disorders and Coping among Undergraduate College Students: Advocating for Students’ Counselling Services at Kuwait University," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(3), pages 1-16, February.

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