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Using a multifaceted community intervention to reduce stigma about mental illness in an Australian Macedonian community
Author(s) -
Blignault Ilse,
Woodland Lisa,
Ponzio Vince,
Ristevski Dushan,
Kirov Suzanna
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
health promotion journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.515
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 2201-1617
pISSN - 1036-1073
DOI - 10.1071/he09227
Subject(s) - mental illness , mental health , mental health literacy , stigma (botany) , medicine , intervention (counseling) , psychiatry , psychology , nursing
Issues addressed Mental health services are under‐utilised by the Macedonian community in south‐east Sydney. This project investigated attitudes and beliefs towards mental illness in this community and used the findings to inform a multifaceted community intervention to reduce stigma and improve mental health literacy. Methods The study was conducted in two phases. In Phase 1, 100 people from the Macedonian community – 24 clients of the mental health service, 23 carers and 53 community members – participated in a telephone interview about mental illness. These results were used in Phase 2 to deliver targeted education programs to key individuals and groups within the community. Results In Phase 1, participants cited negative views about mental illness, negative attitudes and discrimination towards people with mental illness, and concerns about confidentiality as the main reasons for failing to seek care early. In Phase 2, more than 90% of those who provided written feedback indicated that the community and workplace education sessions had given them a better understanding of mental illness and its impact. Conclusions Considerable progress was made towards the long‐term aims of raising awareness, positively changing attitudes and behaviours and encouraging the utilisation of mental health services in the target community. So what Tailoring community education activities for culturally and linguistically diverse communities will facilitate dissemination of information, contribute to better access to treatment and improve outcomes for patients. The strategies used to engage the Macedonian community could potentially be adapted for other ethnic communities.