Using a multifaceted community intervention to reduce stigma about mental illness in an Australian Macedonian community

Abstract

Issues addressed: Mental health services are under-utilised by the Macedonian community in south-east Sydney. This project investigated attitudes and beliefs towards mental illness in this community and used the findings to inform a multifaceted community intervention to reduce stigma and improve mental health literacy.

Methods: The study was conducted in two phases. In Phase 1, 100 people from the Macedonian community - 24 clients of the mental health service, 23 carers and 53 community members - participated in a telephone interview about mental illness. These results were used in Phase 2 to deliver targeted education programs to key individuals and groups within the community.

Results: In Phase 1, participants cited negative views about mental illness, negative attitudes and discrimination towards people with mental illness, and concerns about confidentiality as the main reasons for failing to seek care early. In Phase 2, more than 90% of those who provided written feedback indicated that the community and workplace education sessions had given them a better understanding of mental illness and its impact.

Conclusions: Considerable progress was made towards the long-term aims of raising awareness, positively changing attitudes and behaviours and encouraging the utilisation of mental health services in the target community.