Changes in stigma and population mental health literacy before and after the Covid-19 pandemic

Analyses of repeated cross-sectional studies

Bibliographic Data

ID21257234
AuthorsPaul Winkler (0000-0002-7244-0051, King's College London, corresponding author), Benjamin Kunc (0000-0003-3517-9402, National Institute of Mental Health), Zaray Guerrero (0000-0001-8306-3610, National Institute of Mental Health), Zoe Guerrero, Pavel Mohr (0000-0002-9851-3271, National Institute of Mental Health), Georg Schomerus (0000-0002-6752-463X, Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie), Karolína Mladá (0000-0002-9583-6489, National Institute of Mental Health)
Year2024
Volume6
Pages100369
Publication date2024-12-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSSM - Mental Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2666-5603 • E-ISSN: 2666-5603
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.ssmmh.2024.100369
OpenAlexW4404360550
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited36

The Covid-19 pandemic and related social restrictions have been associated with increased rates of mental health problems, prompting a global surge in interest in mental well-being, which might have had a positive effect on population mental health literacy (MHL). We aimed to compare levels of mental health related stigma among the Czech general adult population before and after the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as recognition of own mental health problems, among those members of the general population who screened positively for mental disorders. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of multiple almost identically designed cross-sectional surveys carried out on representative samples of the non-institutionalized adult population in Czechia in 2017, 2019, and 2022. Mental health problems were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) in 2017 and 2022, while Self-identification of Mental Illness Scale (SELF-I) gauged self-recognition in 2017 and 2022. Mental health-related stigma was evaluated using the Reported and Intended Behaviour Scale (RIBS) and the Community Attitudes towards Mental Illness scale (CAMI) in 2019 and 2022. Attitudes towards individuals with mental health problems exhibited no statistically significant change; however, reported and intended behaviours, i.e. proxies of social distance, changed for the better. Also, self-recognition of mental health problems demonstrated statistically significant improvements among those screening positive for depression, anxiety, and suicide risk, but not among alcohol use disorders. Population MHL remains low and recent positive changes are likely more attributable to the Covid-19 pandemic and related increase in interest in mental health than to deliberate efforts by government or state or other entities. This underscores the complex interplay between societal factors and mental health outcomes, warranting further exploration and reconsideration of public mental health strategies

2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Cross-sectional study · Disease · Environmental health · Health care · Health literacy · Literacy · Mental health · Mental health literacy · Mental illness · Outbreak · Pandemic · Pedagogy · Political science · Population · Psychiatry · Sociology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Demography · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Psychology · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies · Virology