Abstract
Background Despite increasing global awareness of mental health and illness, individuals with mental illnesses still experience stigma in many African countries. This stigma can be pervasive and evolving, which can negatively impact care and quality of life. Aims This study aims to present a comprehensive overview of the prevalence, experiences, and consequences of mental illness stigmatisation in African countries, and offer recommendations for addressing this issue. Methods A systematic review of qualitative studies investigating mental health stigma was conducted, involving a thorough search of seven databases—APA PsycINFO, CINAHL, MEDLINE, APA PsycArticles, African Index Medicus (AIM), ScienceDirect, and Embase—for studies published between 2013 and 2023. Results Thematic analysis of 28 studies identified five main themes (prevalence of stigma, types of stigma, causes of stigma, experiences of stigma, and impacts of stigma) and seven subthemes. Conclusion Providing support to mental health service users and their families, as well as implementing policies and strategies to reduce mental health stigma, is crucial to minimising the prevalence and impact of mental health stigma.
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