Mental Health Literacy and Stigma in a Municipality in the North of Portugal: A Cross-Sectional Study

• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043318
• Publication Date: 2023-02-14T07:16:01Z
• Authors: Raquel Simões de ...; Maria João Trigueiro; Paula Portugal; Sara de Sousa; Vítor Simões-Silva; Filipa Campos; Maria Silva; António Marques
• Keywords: Mental health literacy; Stigma; Social stigma; Health Literacy

Portugal has Europe’s second-highest prevalence of psychiatric illnesses, and this is the reason why mental health literacy (MHL) stigma should be addressed. This study aimed to investigate levels among different groups people from Póvoa de Varzim, a municipality in north Portugal. Students, retired people, professionals (education, social, healthcare fields) were recruited using convenience sample June November 2022. Participants’ MHL evaluated Mental Health Promoting Knowledge Scale (MHPK), Literacy Measure (MHLM) Schedule (MAKS). Stigma Community Attitudes towards Illness (CAMI) Reported Intended Behaviour (RIBS). A total 928 questionnaires filed. The respondents included 65.70% women, mean age 43.63 (±26.71) years 9.87 (±4.39) school education. increased with age, education level was higher women (p < 0.001). seen Findings revealed that older stigmatized illness more 0.001), female gender stigmatize less In addition, results showed decreased (r between 0.11 0.38; p To conclude, specific campaigns promote tailored profiles within population address those have stigma.