What is mental health stigma in the MENA region: Why and how is it a problem?
1. What is “Stigma”?
Stigma this, stigma that, but what is stigma? And why is MindShift MENA so focused on ending it? The word stigma was first defined as “the process by which the reaction of others spoils identity”. Stigma is when the reactions of others come from a prejudgement or stereotype based on misinformation or lack of information. These reactions can often hurt the people being stigmatized or judged, and it can affect their self-esteem, life, confidence, and mood. Stigma results in:
- labeling
-prejudice
-stereotyping
-separation/isolation from society
-status loss
-negative discrimination
- among many more….
The results of stigma on individuals who suffer from mental health are shame and low self-esteem. This stigma can also be internalized. This is known as self-stigma. Social stigma from others can cause self-stigma which can threaten quality of life, disrupt social relations, and decrease the possibility of those who are struggling from seeking mental health services.
Stigma is a barrier to mental illness recovery, even for those who do seek treatment.
2. Why the Middle East/North Africa?
Mental health is commonly stigmatized all around the world, but it is even more so stigmatized and excluded from areas like the MENA. This can be a result of a homogeneous population who all share common beliefs and/or cultures. According to the NIH, the human resources and attention given to mental health issues in the 21st century are insufficient. Only 3 countries have provided estimates of mental health service costs as a percentage of total health spending in the country: Palestine (2.5%), Qatar (1%), and Egypt (less than 1%). The psychiatrist/population ratio is another indicator of mental health services: the highest proportion of psychiatrists is in Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Iraq, Libya, Morrocco, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen have fewer than 0.5 psychiatrists per 100,000 people. Due to the wide lack and inaccessibility of mental health services, many are unable to get the help they need. Instead of solving the root of the problem, we have seen common trends for short-term solutions such as installing fences next to towers and bridges and placing alarms on ceiling fans. This however does not solve mental illness and support those struggling and only contributes to the problem.
3. The effect of stigma on those struggling:
Stigma can lead to discrimination through negative behaviors towards mentally ill individuals. Negative perceptions create fear among those who are mentally ill. Stigma acts as a barrier to recovery and research shows that more than half of the people who might benefit from mental health services refuse to access them to not be called “mentally ill”, this feeds into a cycle of shame and lack of confidence that makes patients avoid seeking treatments. In a study, (Hinshaw et al, 2002) 52% of people stated that they experienced discrimination after they received mental health services and 41% indicated that they were treated differently when their diagnoses became public
4. How MindShift MENA helps:
The mental health stigma does not have to persist. By raising awareness and exposing our audience to mental health information, we can support those who are struggling and help hinder the persistent stigma in the MENA region. We aim to facilitate open and uncensored discussions about mental health.
