Abstract
Health workers are not completely free from the myths, unfavourable beliefs and unpleasant attitudes towards people with mental illness. Most of these perceptions and attitudes towards mental illness are far from the scientific view and these may negatively affect treatment seeking and adherence. However, there is need for mental health education, advocacy and awareness among health workers in order to reduce stigma against mental illness and deepen their supportive roles in the delivery of mental health services.
Highlights
The myths, beliefs and attitudes about mental illness among health workers can influence clinical outcomes of patients with mental illness [1]
World Health Organization recommends integration of mental health services into general medical services, there is growing awareness that mental illness is surrounded by negative attitudes and stigma among health professionals [2]
The misunderstanding of mental illness by the health workers often deprives the psychiatric patients of provision of satisfactory mental and physical healthcare services, thereby endorsing negative attitudes by the society towards them [3]
Summary
The myths, beliefs and attitudes about mental illness among health workers can influence clinical outcomes of patients with mental illness [1]. World Health Organization recommends integration of mental health services into general medical services, there is growing awareness that mental illness is surrounded by negative attitudes and stigma among health professionals [2]. The misunderstanding of mental illness by the health workers often deprives the psychiatric patients of provision of satisfactory mental and physical healthcare services, thereby endorsing negative attitudes by the society towards them [3]. This has been shown to inhibit help seeking behavior among people in need of mental health intervention [4]. Negative attitude is a major reason why patients with mental illness fail to acknowledge their illness and it has been described as one of the major factors mitigating their reintegration into the society [6]
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