Mental illness beliefs, stigma, and help-seeking behavior among medical and mental health professionals: A cross-sectional study in Mumbai

Abstract

Background: Help-seeking behaviors are poor in medical professionals and understudied in mental health professions. Beliefs and perceived stigma influence such behavior. Hence, this study was undertaken to assess, compare, and find associations between these factors among medical and mental health professionals. Methods: This cross-sectional online questionnaire-based study was conducted among 150 medical and mental health professionals practicing in Mumbai using Treatment Seeking Behaviour Scale (TSB), Beliefs toward Mental Illness Scale (BTMI), Self-stigma of Seeking Help (SSOSH), and perception of stigmatization by others for Seeking Help (PSOSH) Scales. Google Forms were sent to the consenting participants through social media platforms and WhatsApp. We had a 40% response rate from the participants. Results: Mean BTMI was 76.76 ± 27.40, which was poor, SSOSH (12.96 ± 4.81) was found to be low, but PSOSH (12.46 ± 5.22) was found to be high. Professional TSB (4.24 ± 0.76) was significantly higher than traditional TSB (2.8 ± 0.81). Mental health professionals had significantly lower scores of BTMI (P = 0.001), SSOSH (P = 0.050), PSOSH (P = 0.044), and traditional TSB (P = 0.002) as compared to medical professionals. Scores of BTMI, SSOSH, and PSOSH were positively correlated with traditional TSB and negatively correlated with professional TSB (P < 0.01). Conclusion: BTMIs are poor and the perception of stigmatization by others for seeking help is high among doctors. Mental health professionals fared significantly better on all their beliefs.

Keywords

• beliefs
• cross-sectional studies
• medical professionals
• mental illness
• stigma
• treatment-seeking behavior