Alomair Noura, Alkhaldi Ghadah, Alsadhan Norah M, Alkasabi Rawan, Alageel Samah
Department of Community Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Insurance Operations Policies Department, Insurance Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Front Public Health. 2024 Dec 13;12:1477315. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1477315. eCollection 2024.
Mental illness is a significant public health concern and a leading cause of disability worldwide. Research shows a lack of mental health knowledge and inappropriate practices in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. Our study aimed to evaluate individuals' perspectives on mental health by analyzing their responses to a digital campaign directed at GCC adolescents. We conducted a qualitative thematic analysis of comments in response to the Gulf Health Council's mental health campaign. The campaign content was shared on four social media platforms: TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and X. A total of 2,146 comments were included in the analysis. There was a widespread denial of the existence of mental illness. The comments revealed a lack of understanding and insufficient support for individuals dealing with mental health issues. Stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness were evident in the comments. The general perception was that individuals have control over their mental health, often associating mental illness with weakness and lack of willpower. Mental illness was believed to be caused by religious and moral shortcomings, and religion was viewed as the solution. Some comments highlighted the need to acknowledge mental illness and urged the development of strategies to promote mental health. Our research shows a lack of awareness, stigma, and inadequate resources for individuals dealing with mental health issues. It highlights the importance of addressing barriers to mental healthcare and increasing access to support. Interventions focusing on stigma reduction and promoting acceptance of mental health disorders are crucial and require collaborative efforts from various stakeholders.
精神疾病是一个重大的公共卫生问题，也是全球致残的主要原因。研究表明，海湾合作委员会（GCC）国家存在心理健康知识匮乏和做法不当的情况。我们的研究旨在通过分析海湾合作委员会青少年对一项数字宣传活动的回应，来评估个人对心理健康的看法。我们对针对海湾健康委员会心理健康宣传活动的评论进行了定性主题分析。该宣传活动内容在四个社交媒体平台上分享：TikTok、YouTube、Instagram和X。共有2146条评论被纳入分析。人们普遍否认精神疾病的存在。评论显示出对处理心理健康问题的个人缺乏理解和支持不足。评论中对患有精神疾病的人存在明显的污名化和歧视。普遍的看法是，个人能够控制自己的心理健康，常常将精神疾病与软弱和缺乏意志力联系起来。人们认为精神疾病是由宗教和道德缺陷引起的，并且宗教被视为解决办法。一些评论强调需要认识到精神疾病，并敦促制定促进心理健康的策略。我们的研究表明，对于处理心理健康问题的个人，存在认识不足、污名化和资源不足的情况。它凸显了解决精神卫生保健障碍和增加获得支持机会的重要性。侧重于减少污名化和促进对精神健康障碍接受度的干预措施至关重要，需要各利益相关方共同努力。
