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. 2023 Sep 12;18(9):e0291307.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291307. eCollection 2023.

Impact of mental health stigma on help-seeking in the Caribbean: Systematic review

Jay-Bethenny Gallimore  1 , Katya Gonzalez Diaz  2 , Cerisse Gunasinghe  3   4 , Graham Thornicroft  1   5 , Tatiana Taylor Salisbury  1 , Petra C Gronholm  1   5
Affiliations

Impact of mental health stigma on help-seeking in the Caribbean: Systematic review

Jay-Bethenny Gallimore et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Mental health conditions often go untreated, which can lead to long-term poor emotional, social physical health and behavioural outcomes, and in some cases, suicide. Mental health-related stigma is frequently noted as a barrier to help seeking, however no previous systematic review has considered evidence from the Caribbean specifically. This systematic review aimed to address two research questions: (1) What is the impact of mental health stigma on help-seeking in the Caribbean? (2) What factors underlie the relationship between stigma and help-seeking in the Caribbean?

Methods: A systematic search was conducted across six electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Global Health, PsychInfo, Scopus and LILACS). The search included articles published up to May 2022. Experts in the field were consulted to provide publication recommendations and references of included studies were checked. Data synthesis comprised of three components: a narrative synthesis of quantitative findings, a thematic analysis of qualitative findings, and a meta-synthesis combining these results.

Results: The review included nine articles (reflecting eight studies) totaling 1256 participants. A conceptual model was derived from the meta-synthesis, identifying three themes in relation to mental health stigma and help-seeking in the Caribbean: (i) Making sense of mental health conditions'; (ii) Anticipated/Experienced stigma-related experiences and (iii) Individual characteristics.

Conclusion: This review provides insights into the relationship between mental health stigma and help-seeking in the Caribbean based upon the current research evidence. This can be applied in the design of culturally appropriate future research, and to support policy and practice towards stigma reduction, and improved mental care help-seeking in the Caribbean.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Conceptual model based on meta-synthesis of qualitative (n = 3) and quantitative (n = 6) results.
Key: Boxes with solid lines represent themes and subthemes. Subthemes that are underlined were identified in quantitative studies only. Subthemes that are asterisked were reported in qualitative studies only. Subthemes that are neither asterisked or underlined were reported in qualitative and quantitative studies. Dashed arrows indicate connections between the themes. Factors within a dotted circle were identified as characteristics of a theme.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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