Stigmatization and discrimination experiences of persons with mental illness: Insights from a qualitative study in southern Ghana

Abstract

Introduction

Globally, stigmatization and discrimination against persons with mental illness is a matter of public health concern. This is due to the fact that many people with mental illness are challenged twice; on one hand, they struggle with the symptoms and disabilities that result from the disease and on the other, they are stereotyped and prejudiced due to misconceptions about mental illness (Corrigan &Watson, 2002). Persons with mental disorders represent a considerable proportion of the world’s population (World Health Organization, WHO, 2010). It is estimated that about one million people die due to suicide every year (WHO, 2009) and one in four people worldwide will experience mental illness in her or his lifetime (WHO, 2010).