Double Tragedy: Examining the Effects of Mental Health Stigma on Help Seeking Behaviour among Deaf People in Ghana  

作　　者：Juventus Duorinaah Wisdom Kwadwo Mprah Lyla Adwan-Kamara Magdalene Mawugbe Juventus Duorinaah;Wisdom Kwadwo Mprah;Lyla Adwan-Kamara;Magdalene Mawugbe(Ghana National Association of the Deaf, Accra, Ghana;Department of Health Promotion and Disability Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana;Ghana Somubi Dwumadie (Ghana Participation Programme), Accra, Ghana)

机构地区：[1]Ghana National Association of the Deaf, Accra, Ghana [2]Department of Health Promotion and Disability Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana [3]Ghana Somubi Dwumadie (Ghana Participation Programme), Accra, Ghana

出　　处：《Open Journal of Psychiatry》2023年第3期153-174,共22页精神病学期刊（英文）

摘　　要：Background: Globally, mental health is recognized as one of the major public health issues, and mental health stigma is one of the main barriers to mental healthcare. While several studies have been conducted on the stigma associated with mental health, very little is known about the mental health stigma experienced by deaf persons with mental health conditions in Ghana. This study examines the experiences of double stigmatization by deaf people with mental health conditions in Ghana. Methodology: A descriptive, mixed method data collection was used for seventy-nine (79) participants. The paper presents findings from the only qualitative component of the study. Results: The findings from the study showed that deaf people with mental illness experienced double stigma, namely being stigmatized for being deaf and for having mental illness. This hindered access to mental health services for deaf people with mental health condition. Conclusion: Deaf people with mental health conditions experience double stigmatization which discourages them from seeking professional psychiatric care. This implies that efforts to reduce mental health stigma and create awareness on deafness should be improved upon. It is recommended that, in view of the impact of stigma on the provision and use of mental health care services, strategies to improve access to mental health care, should seriously consider concerns about stigma.Background: Globally, mental health is recognized as one of the major public health issues, and mental health stigma is one of the main barriers to mental healthcare. While several studies have been conducted on the stigma associated with mental health, very little is known about the mental health stigma experienced by deaf persons with mental health conditions in Ghana. This study examines the experiences of double stigmatization by deaf people with mental health conditions in Ghana. Methodology: A descriptive, mixed method data collection was used for seventy-nine (79) participants. The paper presents findings from the only qualitative component of the study. Results: The findings from the study showed that deaf people with mental illness experienced double stigma, namely being stigmatized for being deaf and for having mental illness. This hindered access to mental health services for deaf people with mental health condition. Conclusion: Deaf people with mental health conditions experience double stigmatization which discourages them from seeking professional psychiatric care. This implies that efforts to reduce mental health stigma and create awareness on deafness should be improved upon. It is recommended that, in view of the impact of stigma on the provision and use of mental health care services, strategies to improve access to mental health care, should seriously consider concerns about stigma.

关 键 词：ACCESSIBILITY Deaf People Mental Health Interventions STIGMA 

分 类 号：TP3[自动化与计算机技术—计算机科学与技术]