Mental health literacy about schizophrenia and depression: a survey among Chinese caregivers of patients with mental disorder

Shubao Chen,Jiang Long,Xuyi Wang,Chang Qi,Yifan Xiong,Qiuxia Wu,Huiqiong Deng,Haoyu He,Tieqiao Liu

doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1245-y

Shubao Chen, Jiang Long + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-017-1245-y

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Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the knowledge of schizophrenia and depression among caregivers of patients with mental disorder in China.MethodA convenience sample of 402 caregivers at the Department of Psychiatry of a general hospital in China was investigated (response rate 95.7%), using vignettes based investigation methodology.ResultsThe number of caregivers using the term “depression” to describe the depression vignette was 43.6%, which was significantly higher than the number of caregivers using the term “schizophrenia” to describe the schizophrenia one (28.5%). A high percentage of caregivers believed that “psychiatrist”, “psychologist” and “close family members” would be helpful, and the top three most helpful interventions were “becoming more physically active”, “getting out and learning more” and “receiving psychotherapy”. The number of caregivers endorsed “antipsychotics” and “antidepressants” as helpful for the schizophrenia and the depression vignettes were 82.0 and 80.7%, respectively. Regarding the causes of mental illness, items related to psychosocial factors, including “daily problems” and “work or financial problems”, and “weakness of character” were highly rated, with half considered genetic or chemical imbalance causes.ConclusionCaregivers expressed a high knowledge about treatments and interventions of mental disorders. But there are still some areas, particularly regarding the recognition and causes of mental disorders, that are in need of improvement. This is particularly the case for schizophrenia.

Highlights

Neuropsychiatric disorders are highly prevalent globally, and becoming the most common causes of illnesses and disabilities [1, 2]
The data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2010 (GBD 2010) informed us that mental and substance use disorders were the leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide, with depressive disorders accounting for 40.5% of disability-adjusted life years [3]
Improving public’s mental health literacy (MHL) will help reduce the global burden caused by neuropsychiatric disorders

Summary

Introduction

Neuropsychiatric disorders are highly prevalent globally, and becoming the most common causes of illnesses and disabilities [1, 2]. The term mental health literacy (MHL) was introduced by Jorm et al in 1997 [8] It refers to knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders, which aid in their recognition, management and prevention. There is an assumption that individuals who have a higher level of MHL will be able to recognize mental disorders earlier and be more willing to seek professional help [9]. According to this assumption, improved MHL is theorized to increase rates of early help-seeking for mental health problems and increases the probability of successful treatment and reduces the chances of the disorder becoming more severe. Improving public’s MHL will help reduce the global burden caused by neuropsychiatric disorders

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