Abstract
Few studies have examined the views of policy makers regarding the impact of mental health stigma on the development and implementation of mental health policies. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap by exploring policymakers’ and policy advisors’ perspectives regarding the impact of mental health stigma on the development and implementation of mental health programmes, strategies, and services in Singapore. In all 13 participants were recruited for the study comprising practicing policymakers, senior staff of organisations involved in implementing the various mental health programmes, and policy advisors. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Data analysis revealed three superordinate themes related to challenges experienced by the policymakers/advisors when dealing with mental health policy and implementation of programmes. These themes included stigma as a barrier to mental health treatment, community-level barriers to mental health recovery, and mental health being a neglected need. Policymakers/advisors demonstrated an in-depth and nuanced understanding of the barriers (consequent to stigma) to mental healthcare delivery and access. Policymakers/advisors were able to associate the themes related to the stigma towards mental illness with help-seeking barriers based on personal experiences, knowledge, and insight gained through the implementation of mental health programmes and initiatives.
Highlights
More than a billion people were estimated to suffer from mental and addictive disorders in 2016, contributing to 19% of all years lived with disability (Rehm & Shield, 2019)
The data analysis revealed three superordinate themes, which were related to challenges experienced by the policymakers/advisors when dealing with mental health policy and implementation of programmes
The findings of our study revealed the perspectives of policymakers and policy advisors on the impact of mental health stigma on the development and implementation of mental health programmes, strategies, and services in Singapore
Summary
More than a billion people were estimated to suffer from mental and addictive disorders in 2016, contributing to 19% of all years lived with disability (Rehm & Shield, 2019). Research suggests that the cost of mental illness was US$ 2.5 trillion in 2010 and is expected to rise to US$ 6.0 trillion by 2030. This economic burden far exceeds the cost of illness of cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes (Bloom et al, 2011). Various explanations have been suggested as to why people do not receive treatment; the most widely cited reasons are stigma and the inability to access mental healthcare. Most countries have limited legislation on mental healthcare policies (Rathod et al, 2017). A recent systematic review by Carbonell et al (2020) identified several barriers in mental
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