Projects / Programmes
Mental health literacy, destigmatisation of mental illnesses and help-seeking behaviour in times of distress in Slovenian adult population
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.09.00 |
Social sciences |
Psychology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S260 |
Social sciences |
Psychology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 5.01 |
Social Sciences |
Psychology and cognitive sciences |
mental health literacy, mental diseases, help-seeking, attitudes, stigma
Researchers (14)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
There are various effective treatment approaches available for many mental health problems. Unfortunately, however, only a small proportion of people with mental health problems seek and receive appropriate professional help, while a large part of the mental distress remains untreated; the prevalence of mental disorders in society is relatively high (for example, 9.3% of men, 15.7% of women and 18.1% of patients with chronic diseases of both genders have depression in Slovenia) and is (specially for depression) even increasing.
Mental disorders can be effectively addressed, but the gap between the needs in this field and the actual treatment of individuals with mental health problems is high. Untreated mental problems have many negative consequences both at the individual level and the society as a whole. They contribute to a low quality of life, non-productivity in private life and at work, and can also lead to suicidal behavior. The latter presents a major public health problem both globally and in Slovenia, as every year, according to the World Health Organization's estimates, about 800,000 people take their lives. Slovenia is ranked among the countries with the highest suicide rate. From a public health point of view, therefore, it is vital to identify the reasons for the low level of recognition of mental disorders, help-seeking behaviour in case of distress, and the treatment rates of mental health problems itself. Ability to seek professional help in distress or in case of mental illness is a protective factor for strengthening mental health and a protective factor that reduces the risk of suicide. Among the reasons for the low level of help in the case of distress is most likely lack of literacy on mental health, as well as attitudes regarding various topics related to mental health, stigma and various other obstacles that deter people in distress from seeking professional help.
In the proposed research project, we intend to explore these issues using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, which will enable us to generalize the findings on the one hand and deepen the understanding of the situation on the other. In Slovenia, some research has already been carried out on this topic, but not in such a broad and in-depth way, therefore the existing data does not provide sufficient insight into the situation in this field. In the proposed project, we intend to focus on adult citizens of Slovenia and take into account the various socio-demographic data that could influence the individual's attitudes regarding help-seeking behaviour and their actual experience of help-seeking in case of mental distress (e.g. gender, age, education, employment etc.). We will use quality, proven and relevant research methods, with which we have extensive experience. In the quantitative part of the study, we will concentrate on the risk factors that prevent the search for help and the protective factors that contribute to literacy on mental health and help-seeking behaviour in case of distress. In the qualitative part of the study, we will focus more in depth on the literacy of mental health, recognizing the signs of problems in this field and attitudes toward various problems and mental disorders, stigma (own and perceived in the social environment), various obstacles to help-seeking behaviour and ways to overcome these obstacles. By using a combination of both approaches, we will ensure triangulation of the methods and hence the high quality, reliability and validity of the conclusions of the research.
The research will help to further strengthen the dedicated research team and the sustainability of research activities in the field of mental health. From the point of view of the development of science, the research is of great importance because of the relatively narrowly studied field of literacy regarding mental health in Slovenia. The results will be an important starting point for further cooperation with professional se
Significance for science
The research will be included in the activities of the UP IAM Slovenian Center for Suicide Research, which include various national and international research-intervention projects for strengthening mental health and preventing suicidal behavior (described under 28.4.).
Content related to research (dissemination of results, publications to raise awareness amongst the general public) will be published on the website Živ? Živ! (www.zivziv.si). We will address research and its results at the annual international conference Triple i and Suicidology. The discussion with internationally recognized experts on the topic, under consideration of the situation in Slovenia. It will highlight additional possibilities for development and expansion of the study, discover new challenges on the way to improve society’s mental health literacy, and challenges on the way to developing and implementing interventions. Furthermore, we will disseminate the findings through professional and scientific publications on national and international level, as described under point 16.
The research is of great importance in terms of science progress because of the relatively narrowly explored field of mental health literacy in Slovenia. The research will also be an important starting point for further cooperation with professional services, public health institutions, the economic sector, etc. when introducing suggested interventions. In this way, the transition of theoretical knowledge into practice will be carried out, which is an important step for development of the profession.
The research will help to strengthen the research team and will contribute to the sustainability of research activities in the field of mental health.
Significance for the country
Caring for mental health is a topic that represents one of the major public health problems not only in Slovenia but also in the European Union. More than a tenth of Europeans suffer from mental disorders annually. Mental illnesses represent a significant burden and deficit for economic, social, educational, criminal and judicial systems. Mental illnesses represent an expense for employers as well as for the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia. Specifically, expenses range from 3 to 4% of GDP which is mainly due to loss of productivity, long-term absence from work, inability to work and premature retirement. Mental and behavioral disorders are the grounds for more than a quarter of the category I disabilities, meaningful retirement (Jeriček Klanšek, Zorko, Bajt et al., 2009).
Health absenteeism in Slovenia is relatively high compared to other European countries, but has been decreasing in recent years. Data for Slovenia, published in 2010, showed 10-11 million lost working days (decade average), which means that 38,500 to 39,000 people daily are absent from work due to illness or injury (Vučković, 2010). The low rates of treatment seeking are one of the main factors causing health issues in the workplace, particularly for affective and anxiety disorders, which are important predictors of productivity loss (Lim, Sanderson & Andrews, 2000). The latter is, among other factors, in the domain of improving mental health literacy.
The results of the proposed study will crucially contribute to the introduction and/or upgrading of the necessary interventions and the long-term improvement of the state of literacy on mental health, the help-seeking behaviour and the psychological well-being of the population. Improving mental health and well-being will consequently contribute to a lesser extent of absenteeism. The intervention aspect of introducing activities into practice goes beyond the purpose of the proposed project, but it is crucially related to the lessons that will be gained through the project. The results of the research will be one of the starting points for easier planning of programs to reduce absenteeism in Slovenia. At the same time, we will outline the role of the individual in relation to responsibility for taking care of one's own (mental) health. In the context of the latter, we would detail the suggestions for raising awareness of individuals on mental health and suggestions for improving mental health literacy.
In this way, the proposed project will contribute to the strengthening of the Slovenian economy in a comprehensive and systematic way.
LITERATURE:
Vučković, R. (2010). Obvladovanje zdravstvenega absentizma – izziv za družbo. In D. Kos (Ed.), Zdravstveni absentizem v Sloveniji: zbornik primerov iz prakse 14 slovenskih podjetij (Health-related absenteeism in Slovenia: case examples from 14 Slovenian companies) (pp 10-21). Ljubljana: Zavod za zdravstveno zavarovanje Slovenije.
Lim, D., Sanderson, K., & Andrews, G. (2000). Lost Productivity Among Full-Time Workers with Mental Disorders. The Journal of Mental Health Policy and Economics, 3 (3), 139-146. doi: 10.1002/mhp.93
Jeriček Klanšček, H., Zorko, M., Bajt, M., & Roškar, S. (2009). Duševno zdravje v Sloveniji (Mental health in Slovenia). Ljubljana: Inštitut za varovanje zdravja Republike Slovenije.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2018,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2018,
final report
