Feasibility and Applicability of Implementing the Framework for Comprehensive Understanding of Structural Stigma in Mental Healthcare Systems: A Case Example of Nepal

ABSTRACT Introduction Mental health‐related structural stigma is a multifaceted issue that significantly impacts access to quality mental healthcare, particularly in low‐resource settings like Nepal. Therefore, there is a clear need to understand the complexities and identify gaps for targeted inter...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Dristy Gurung, Bhawana Subedi, Binita Acharya, Mani Neupane, Brandon A. Kohrt, Graham Thornicroft, Petra C. Gronholm
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-02-01
Series:Health Expectations
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70170
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850079954025316352
author Dristy Gurung
Bhawana Subedi
Binita Acharya
Mani Neupane
Brandon A. Kohrt
Graham Thornicroft
Petra C. Gronholm
author_facet Dristy Gurung
Bhawana Subedi
Binita Acharya
Mani Neupane
Brandon A. Kohrt
Graham Thornicroft
Petra C. Gronholm
author_sort Dristy Gurung
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Introduction Mental health‐related structural stigma is a multifaceted issue that significantly impacts access to quality mental healthcare, particularly in low‐resource settings like Nepal. Therefore, there is a clear need to understand the complexities and identify gaps for targeted interventions through evaluations of various dimensions of structural stigma within healthcare systems. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and applicability of a mental health‐related structural stigma measurement framework through its implementation in Nepal's healthcare system. Methods A mixed‐methods approach was employed, involving data mapping, key informant interviews and rating exercises with diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, health workers and people with lived experience (PWLEs). A visual analogue scale or Red/Amber/Green (RAG) rating scale was used to rate each indicator within the framework for the level of structural stigma based on the mapped information and their experiences. Data collection was carried out from May to June 2024. Results Twenty key informants were interviewed for this exercise. Most indicators within the framework were endorsed as yellow, followed by red by participants referring to mid to high levels of structural stigma within the healthcare system. The findings also revealed that the stakeholders perceived the framework as acceptable and applicable for measuring mental health‐related structural stigma in the healthcare system. However, challenges were noted regarding the clarity of some indicators, limitations of the three‐coloured visual analogue rating and the need for comparator conditions. Conclusion The study underscores the measurement framework's value as a tool for identifying and addressing structural stigma in a mental healthcare system in a low‐resource setting. Stakeholder engagement and contextual adaptation are crucial for its successful implementation. The insights gained can inform structural reforms and improve mental health service delivery, ultimately promoting greater equity and access for PWLEs. Patient Public Contribution This framework being assessed in this study (FOCUS‐MHS) was developed through extensive consultation with People with Lived Experiences (PWLEs) in Nepal and globally with the Global Mental Health Peer Network along with other stakeholders. Identification of documents, policies and studies, along with qualitative information mapped within the indicators, was informed by PWLEs involved in local study sites and by policymakers and health administrators. The reflections of the study participants—PWLEs, health administrators and policymakers, have guided further refinement of the framework for future use.
format Article
id doaj-art-88abca672dc34a4aaa9b032dfde90ee0
institution DOAJ
issn 1369-6513
1369-7625
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series Health Expectations
spelling doaj-art-88abca672dc34a4aaa9b032dfde90ee02025-08-20T02:45:03ZengWileyHealth Expectations1369-65131369-76252025-02-01281n/an/a10.1111/hex.70170Feasibility and Applicability of Implementing the Framework for Comprehensive Understanding of Structural Stigma in Mental Healthcare Systems: A Case Example of NepalDristy Gurung0Bhawana Subedi1Binita Acharya2Mani Neupane3Brandon A. Kohrt4Graham Thornicroft5Petra C. Gronholm6Transcultural Psychosocial Organization Nepal (TPO Nepal) Kathmandu NepalTranscultural Psychosocial Organization Nepal (TPO Nepal) Kathmandu NepalTranscultural Psychosocial Organization Nepal (TPO Nepal) Kathmandu NepalTranscultural Psychosocial Organization Nepal (TPO Nepal) Kathmandu NepalThe George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Center for Global Mental Health Equity Washington DC USAHealth Services and Population Research Department Centre for Global Mental Health and Centre for Implementation Science, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, De Crespigny Park London UKDepartment of Population Health London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Centre for Global Mental Health London UKABSTRACT Introduction Mental health‐related structural stigma is a multifaceted issue that significantly impacts access to quality mental healthcare, particularly in low‐resource settings like Nepal. Therefore, there is a clear need to understand the complexities and identify gaps for targeted interventions through evaluations of various dimensions of structural stigma within healthcare systems. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and applicability of a mental health‐related structural stigma measurement framework through its implementation in Nepal's healthcare system. Methods A mixed‐methods approach was employed, involving data mapping, key informant interviews and rating exercises with diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, health workers and people with lived experience (PWLEs). A visual analogue scale or Red/Amber/Green (RAG) rating scale was used to rate each indicator within the framework for the level of structural stigma based on the mapped information and their experiences. Data collection was carried out from May to June 2024. Results Twenty key informants were interviewed for this exercise. Most indicators within the framework were endorsed as yellow, followed by red by participants referring to mid to high levels of structural stigma within the healthcare system. The findings also revealed that the stakeholders perceived the framework as acceptable and applicable for measuring mental health‐related structural stigma in the healthcare system. However, challenges were noted regarding the clarity of some indicators, limitations of the three‐coloured visual analogue rating and the need for comparator conditions. Conclusion The study underscores the measurement framework's value as a tool for identifying and addressing structural stigma in a mental healthcare system in a low‐resource setting. Stakeholder engagement and contextual adaptation are crucial for its successful implementation. The insights gained can inform structural reforms and improve mental health service delivery, ultimately promoting greater equity and access for PWLEs. Patient Public Contribution This framework being assessed in this study (FOCUS‐MHS) was developed through extensive consultation with People with Lived Experiences (PWLEs) in Nepal and globally with the Global Mental Health Peer Network along with other stakeholders. Identification of documents, policies and studies, along with qualitative information mapped within the indicators, was informed by PWLEs involved in local study sites and by policymakers and health administrators. The reflections of the study participants—PWLEs, health administrators and policymakers, have guided further refinement of the framework for future use.https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70170healthcare systemsmeasurement frameworkmental healthpeople with lived experience involvementstructural stigma
spellingShingle Dristy Gurung
Bhawana Subedi
Binita Acharya
Mani Neupane
Brandon A. Kohrt
Graham Thornicroft
Petra C. Gronholm
Feasibility and Applicability of Implementing the Framework for Comprehensive Understanding of Structural Stigma in Mental Healthcare Systems: A Case Example of Nepal
Health Expectations
healthcare systems
measurement framework
mental health
people with lived experience involvement
structural stigma
title Feasibility and Applicability of Implementing the Framework for Comprehensive Understanding of Structural Stigma in Mental Healthcare Systems: A Case Example of Nepal
title_full Feasibility and Applicability of Implementing the Framework for Comprehensive Understanding of Structural Stigma in Mental Healthcare Systems: A Case Example of Nepal
title_fullStr Feasibility and Applicability of Implementing the Framework for Comprehensive Understanding of Structural Stigma in Mental Healthcare Systems: A Case Example of Nepal
title_full_unstemmed Feasibility and Applicability of Implementing the Framework for Comprehensive Understanding of Structural Stigma in Mental Healthcare Systems: A Case Example of Nepal
title_short Feasibility and Applicability of Implementing the Framework for Comprehensive Understanding of Structural Stigma in Mental Healthcare Systems: A Case Example of Nepal
title_sort feasibility and applicability of implementing the framework for comprehensive understanding of structural stigma in mental healthcare systems a case example of nepal
topic healthcare systems
measurement framework
mental health
people with lived experience involvement
structural stigma
url https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70170
work_keys_str_mv AT dristygurung feasibilityandapplicabilityofimplementingtheframeworkforcomprehensiveunderstandingofstructuralstigmainmentalhealthcaresystemsacaseexampleofnepal
AT bhawanasubedi feasibilityandapplicabilityofimplementingtheframeworkforcomprehensiveunderstandingofstructuralstigmainmentalhealthcaresystemsacaseexampleofnepal
AT binitaacharya feasibilityandapplicabilityofimplementingtheframeworkforcomprehensiveunderstandingofstructuralstigmainmentalhealthcaresystemsacaseexampleofnepal
AT manineupane feasibilityandapplicabilityofimplementingtheframeworkforcomprehensiveunderstandingofstructuralstigmainmentalhealthcaresystemsacaseexampleofnepal
AT brandonakohrt feasibilityandapplicabilityofimplementingtheframeworkforcomprehensiveunderstandingofstructuralstigmainmentalhealthcaresystemsacaseexampleofnepal
AT grahamthornicroft feasibilityandapplicabilityofimplementingtheframeworkforcomprehensiveunderstandingofstructuralstigmainmentalhealthcaresystemsacaseexampleofnepal
AT petracgronholm feasibilityandapplicabilityofimplementingtheframeworkforcomprehensiveunderstandingofstructuralstigmainmentalhealthcaresystemsacaseexampleofnepal