Exploring the Multifaceted Dimensions of Mental Health Stigma: Culture, Religion, and Healthcare Institutions

School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom, Leeds

^* Corresponding author: ps23bz@leeds.ac.uk

Abstract

Background: The stigma against mental illness has attracted more and more attention in various fields in recent years, especially its impact on the willingness of stigmatized subjects to seek help. Most studies examine the underlying factors, such as cultural factors, the influence of mental health institutions, and the impact on the stigmatized target. Methods: This study reviews the literature on the association between the three characteristics and the stigma associated with mental illness and discusses future research potential regarding the study's limitations. Through in-depth analysis and understanding of the literature in the past five years, the present study summarized the different degrees and manifestations of stigma in different cultural backgrounds, the impact of health institutions on stigma, and the impact of stigma on the stigmatized objects. Results: Stigma has varying degrees of impact on the stigmatized person's willingness to seek help, self-esteem, and life efficacy, and may even increase the risk of suicide. In addition, staff working in mental health facilities may also experience external stigma. Compared with Western individualistic cultures, Eastern collectivistic cultures have a stronger stigma towards mental illness, which is also related to patients' low willingness to seek help. Diagnosis of mental health institutions may lead to increased stigma as well. However, these studies still have certain limitations, and future studies can be improved through longitudinal studies and better control of factors such as popularization of mental illness.