Attitude toward mental health in the Republic of Georgia

Abstract

The stigma, discrimination and human rights violations that individuals and families affected by mental disorders suffer are intense and pervasive.In order to study attitude toward mental health problems, more than 1000 population from the different region of Georgia have been interviewed within 3 months (May-July 2015) in their household.The scope of questions used in the survey were based on the questionnaire proposed by the NHS Information Centre, Mental Health and Community.The population of Georgia showed high levels of understanding and tolerance of mental disorders. Despite of this, the fear and exclusion toward people with mental illness were almost twice as more, compare to the countries, where community mental health services are developed. More than half of the interviewed reported that institutional care is quite sufficient for providing treatment and suggested that person with mental disorder should not have rights to a job. Social status, income and occupation did not play any role in terms of attitude.Majority of the respondents thought that mentally ill patient is a person who is violent or who need isolation due to the disturbed or inadequate behavior.The survey revealed that the attitude toward persons with mental disorders in the republic of Georgia less likely is based on evidence and objective information. The lack of knowledge and awareness of mental health issues increase stigma and discrimination regarding the people with mental health problems and prevent them from the integration into the society.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.