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. 2021 Mar 22:8:e11.
doi: 10.1017/gmh.2021.9. eCollection 2021.

Mental health stigma in Ukraine: cross-sectional survey

Eleanor Quirke  1 , Vitalii Klymchuk  2 , Orest Suvalo  3 , Ioannis Bakolis  4 , Graham Thornicroft  5
Affiliations

Mental health stigma in Ukraine: cross-sectional survey

Eleanor Quirke et al. Glob Ment Health (Camb). .

Abstract

Background and study objectives: This study aimed to assess among Ukrainian adults: (1) knowledge of mental disorders; (2) attitudes towards people with mental health disorders, and to the delivery of mental health treatment within the community; and (3) behaviours towards people with mental disorders.

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey of Ukrainian adults aged 18-60 was conducted. Stigma-related mental health knowledge was measured using the mental health knowledge schedule. Attitude towards people with mental health disorders was assessed using the Community Attitudes towards Mental Illness scale. The Reported and Intended Behaviour scale was used to assess past and future intended behaviour towards people with mental health disorders.

Results: Associations between gender, age, and educational level and the knowledge and attitudes measures were identified. There was evidence of a positive association between being male and positive intended behaviours towards people with mental health disorders [mean difference (MD) = 0.509, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.021-0.998]. Older age was negatively associated with positive intended behaviours towards people with mental health disorders (MD = -0.017, 95% CI 0.0733 to -0.001). Higher education was positively associated with stigma-related mental health knowledge (MD = 0.438, 95% CI 0.090-0.786), and negatively associated with authoritarian (MD = 0.755, 95% CI 0.295-1.215) attitudes towards people with mental health problems.

Conclusion: Overall, the findings indicate a degree of awareness of, and compassion towards, people with mental illness among Ukrainian adults, although this differed according to gender, region, and education level. Results indicate a need for the adoption and scaling-up of anti-stigma interventions that have been demonstrated to be effective.

Keywords: Discrimination; mental health; stigma; stigma intervention.

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Conflict of interest statement

This publication was drafted by members of the Mental Health for Ukraine project team and members of the project's implementing consortia. The opinions and views presented in this publication represent those of the authors and may not necessarily represent the views of the Mental Health for Ukraine project team, the implementing consortia, or the SDC.

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