Changes in stigma and population mental health literacy before and after the Covid-19 pandemic: Analyses of repeated cross-sectional studies
Aims: 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...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-12-01
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| Series: | SSM - Mental Health |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666560324000744 |
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| author | Petr Winkler Benjamin Kunc Zoe Guerrero Pavel Mohr Georg Schomerus Karolína Mladá |
| author_facet | Petr Winkler Benjamin Kunc Zoe Guerrero Pavel Mohr Georg Schomerus Karolína Mladá |
| author_sort | Petr Winkler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Aims: 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. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusions: 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b43bb7d4c26d461e88d8dd3ffb857908 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2666-5603 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | SSM - Mental Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-b43bb7d4c26d461e88d8dd3ffb8579082025-08-20T02:50:09ZengElsevierSSM - Mental Health2666-56032024-12-01610036910.1016/j.ssmmh.2024.100369Changes in stigma and population mental health literacy before and after the Covid-19 pandemic: Analyses of repeated cross-sectional studiesPetr Winkler0Benjamin Kunc1Zoe Guerrero2Pavel Mohr3Georg Schomerus4Karolína Mladá5WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Mental Health Research and Service Development, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czechia; Health Service and Population Research Department, IoPPN, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, SE5 8AB, London, United Kingdom; Corresponding author. WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Mental Health Research and Service Development, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czechia.Public Mental Health Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czechia; Department of Neurosciences, Center for Contextual Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 ON5B bus 1029, 3000, Leuven, BelgiumWHO Collaborating Centre for Public Mental Health Research and Service Development, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, CzechiaClinic, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, CzechiaKlinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig – AöR, Semmelweisstr. 10, 04103, Leipzig, GermanyPublic Mental Health Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, CzechiaAims: 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. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusions: 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.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666560324000744Mental health and illnessStigmaMental health literacyCovid-19 |
| spellingShingle | Petr Winkler Benjamin Kunc Zoe Guerrero Pavel Mohr Georg Schomerus Karolína Mladá Changes in stigma and population mental health literacy before and after the Covid-19 pandemic: Analyses of repeated cross-sectional studies SSM - Mental Health Mental health and illness Stigma Mental health literacy Covid-19 |
| title | Changes in stigma and population mental health literacy before and after the Covid-19 pandemic: Analyses of repeated cross-sectional studies |
| title_full | Changes in stigma and population mental health literacy before and after the Covid-19 pandemic: Analyses of repeated cross-sectional studies |
| title_fullStr | Changes in stigma and population mental health literacy before and after the Covid-19 pandemic: Analyses of repeated cross-sectional studies |
| title_full_unstemmed | Changes in stigma and population mental health literacy before and after the Covid-19 pandemic: Analyses of repeated cross-sectional studies |
| title_short | Changes in stigma and population mental health literacy before and after the Covid-19 pandemic: Analyses of repeated cross-sectional studies |
| title_sort | changes in stigma and population mental health literacy before and after the covid 19 pandemic analyses of repeated cross sectional studies |
| topic | Mental health and illness Stigma Mental health literacy Covid-19 |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666560324000744 |
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