Social Contact: Next Steps in an Effective Strategy to Mitigate the Stigma of Mental Illness

Experiences of familial stigma among individuals living with mental illnesses: A meta‐synthesis of qualitative literature from high‐income countries

“…Public education to correct the misconceptions around mental illnesses continues to be a key to reducing the long‐standing social stigma that often starts with familial stigma. That said, as public education has been a focus for many years, there is decreasing return on investment from such campaigns (Adu, Oudshoom, Anderson, et al, 2022, Adu & Oudshoom, 2022; Cook et al, 2014; Heijnders & Van Der Meij, 2006).…”

“…More recent research looks to transformative versus didactic education models to achieve reductions in stigma (Adu et al, 2021, Adu, Oudshoom, Anderson, et al, 2022; Corrigan & Rao, 2012, 2013; Evans‐Lacko et al, 2012). For instance, stakeholder's engagement in mental health care and mental illness policies has brought about a decrease in prejudice and unjust treatment towards persons with mental illnesses and their families (Corbière et al, 2012; Corrigan, 2003; Dunne et al, 2018).…”

“…It is a known approach employed to reduce the impact of mental illness stigma on persons with mental illnesses and their immediate families. However, concealment does not contribute to positive longterm outcomes and often has unintended negative consequences on both affected persons as well as their families (Adu et al, 2021(Adu et al, , 2022Public Health Agency of Canada, 2006;van der Sanden et al, 2016).…”

“…It is a known approach employed to reduce the impact of mental illness stigma on persons with mental illnesses and their immediate families. However, concealment does not contribute to positive long‐term outcomes and often has unintended negative consequences on both affected persons as well as their families (Adu et al, 2021, 2022; Public Health Agency of Canada, 2006; van der Sanden et al, 2016). Family members of persons with mental illnesses ensured concealment through restriction of information on their relative's condition (Bonnington & Rose, 2014; Chen et al, 2013; Karnieli‐Miller et al, 2013; McCann et al, 2011; Onwumere et al, 2016), disallowing their relative from taking medications, and encouraging them not to reveal or be open about their condition (Koro‐Ljungberg & Bussing, 2009; Ladd, 2018).…”

Psychiatric and Psychosocial Factors of Suicide Decedents and Survivor of Suicide Loss: Psychological Autopsy Study of Incheon City in South Korea

“…There are common false beliefs among the general public in Korea that psychiatric treatment can lead to disadvantages in employment, and that all psychotropic drugs have addiction potential and serious adverse effects, such as cognitive impairment [30,31]. To correct these beliefs, practical measures such as education, publicity, support for treatment costs for psychiatric patients and resolving the disadvantages of purchasing private insurance are necessary [32][33][34]. In Korea, the Mental Health Act was revised in 2016 to improve the human rights and autonomy of patients; however, psychiatric hospitalization procedures became very difficult without their own or their family's consent, even if they were at risk of suicide or violence [35,36].…”