KNOWLEDGE REGARDING STIGMA TOWARDS MENTAL ILLNESS AMONG ADULTS IN SELECTED URBAN COMMUNITY

Author Name: Mr. Libin Babu

Volume/Issue: 02/03

Country: India

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://www.doi-ds.org/doilink/09.2021-79649846/UIJIR

Affiliation:

Assistant Professor,Era University,Lucknow,U.P, India

ABSTRACT

Background and objectives: “Stigma towards mental illness” is a major health problem in the community. Stigma is a barrier for achieving life goals in those with mental illness. Stigma impedes mental health treatment seeking, erodes self-esteem, limits one’s social network and employment opportunities and it also reduces the wellbeing of persons experiencing mental health problems. Stigma towards mental illness can be prevented by mainly three approaches such as education, contact and protest, which is best possible by conducting awareness programmes. Methods: A descriptive approach with purposive non- random sampling technique was used to collect data from 60 adults of selected urban community who are residing at Attur, Yelahanka, Bengaluru. Results: The knowledge level reveals that maximum mean score (44.63% and SD of 4.01 ± 1.95) is in the area of mental illness and problems related to the stigma of mental illness. The majority 31 (51.67) of the adults have average knowledge, 15 (25%) have good knowledge, 11 (18.33%) have poor knowledge, and 3 (5%) have very good knowledge regarding stigma towards mental illness. Interpretation and conclusion: The findings of the study conclude that the majority of the respondents have average knowledge regarding stigma towards mental illness. The study also reveals that there is a significant association between knowledge score regarding stigma towards mental illness and selected demographic variable i.e. educational qualification of adults in the selected urban community. A mental health awareness programme was conducted among the respondents. The investigator concluded that the adults needed to be provided with more information, therefore reducing stigmatizing attitude towards mental illness.

Key words: Knowledge of urban adults; stigma; mental illness; awareness programme