Reducing Stigma and Discrimination in Global Mental Health
A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 3
Special Issue Editor
Interests: mental health nursing; mental health and wellbeing; learning disability; global mental health; mental health geography; health geography/geosciences; health inequalities; earth sciences
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Despite a global increase in mental health awareness across the globe [1], the stigmatisation and discrimination of mental illness continue to be widespread in many societies and cultures [2]. Stigmatisation refers to the act of devaluing, discrediting, and shaming individuals because of their characteristics or attributes, which can then lead to isolation, exclusion, marginalisation, and prejudice [3]. The stigmatisation and discrimination of mental illness can create unnecessary barriers to acknowledging illness, accessing support and treatment, and achieving recovery [4]. Thus, tackling mental health stigmas and discrimination is crucial to break the barriers that prevent the acknowledgement of mental illness, access to mental health support and treatment, and improvement of the lives and care of those affected [4].
Given this background, the aim of this Special Issue is to present and discuss current evidence surrounding the topic of reducing stigma and discrimination in global mental health. Topics will include, but are not limited to, discussions around the causes, prevalence, and types of stigma; experiences of stigma by people with mental illness; impacts of stigma on people with mental illness; and actions taken to reduce and minimise stigmatisation of mental illness on a global scale.
References
- Goh, Y., Yong, Q., Tam, W.W. Effects of online stigma-reduction programme for people experiencing mental health conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J. Ment. Health Nurs. 2021, 30, 1040–1056. https://doi. org/10.1111/inm.12893
- Oexle, N.; Müller, M., Kawohl, W., Xu, Z., Viering, S., Wyss, C., Vetter, S.; Rüsch, N. Self-stigma as a barrier to recovery: a longitudinal study. Arch. Psychiatry Clin. Neurosci. 2018, 268, 209–212.
- Subu, M.A.; Wati, D.F.; Netrida, N.; Priscilla, V.; Dias, J.M.; Abraham, M. S.; Slewa-Younan, S.; Al–Yateem, N. Types of stigma experienced by patients with mental illness and mental health nurses in Indonesia: A qualitative content analysis. J. Ment. Health Syst. 2021, 15, 77. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033- 021-00502-x
- Sreeram, A.; Cross, W.; Townsin, L. Anti-stigma initiatives for mental health professionals—A systematic literature review. Psychiatr. Ment. Health Nurs. 2022, 29, 512–528. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.12840
Dr. Oladapo Akinlotan
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- mental health stigma
- mental health discrimination
- mental health stereotyping
- stigma reduction
- anti-stigma
- global mental health
- mental illness
- stigma
- stigmatisation
- discrimination
- bias
- prejudice
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