Exploring Public Stigma Towards Mental Illnessin Windhoek, Namibia

Global Perspectivesand Implications for Intervention

Abstract

This study examines public stigma towards mental illness in Windhoek, Namibia, focusing on the level of stigma, attitudes towards people with mental illness (PWMI), and the demographic variables that may influence these attitudes. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study employed the Community Attitudes towards the Mentally Ill (CAMI) scale to survey 150 participants, analysing data with inferential statistics. Additionally, three focus group discussions were conducted with participants from different socio-economic backgrounds to explore views on mental illness. The study found an overall public stigma level of 41 per cent according to the CAMI scale. Key demographic factors such as age, gender, and education were associated with higher stigma levels, with older adults, men, and those with lower educational attainment displaying more negative attitudes. Furthermore, participants from lower socio-economic groups held more misconceptions and misinformation about mental illness than those from higher socio-economic backgrounds. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to reduce stigma, with strategies such as contact, protest, and education being particularly relevant in the Namibian context. These findings underscore the importance of addressing public stigma in mental health care and the necessity for further research and development of mental health services in Namibia.