Development of a protocol for nurses to reduce stigma towards mental health care users at primary health care services in the Western Cape

Abstract

Background: Nearly one in eight individuals across the world lives with a mental disorder. Mental disorders contribute to the global burden of disease, and are the third largest contributor to the overall disease burden in South Africa. The availability of mental health services at primary health care level should reduce the burden of mental disorders. It was found that several studies have revealed that stigma prevents people from seeking mental health care which contributes to delays in their recovery. Consequently, it deprives them of their basic human rights and excludes them from society. Mental health stigma has been reported among nurses and other health care providers.