The impact of community-based mental health service provision on stigma and attitudes towards professional help-seeking

Background: Stigma of mental ill-health and attitudes towards help-seeking are recognized barriers to seeking professional help, and have previously been linked to the type of support services available. Aims: This study examined if the introduction of community-based mental health services to an area impacts mental health stigma and attitudes towards professional help-seeking amongst local residents. Method: A repeated cross-sectional study comprising of community surveys in two localities was carried out before and after community-based mental health services were introduced (N = 1074). Measures including perceived public and self-stigma of mental ill-health, and attitudes towards seeking professional help were compared across the two time points. Results: Both public and self-stigma were significantly lower, and attitudes towards seeking professional help significantly more positive, after community-based mental health services had been introduced in each locality. Conclusions: The presence of local, accessible mental health services can positively impact help-seeking behaviour by reducing stigma and changing norms and attitudes around professional help-seeking.