Title: Stigma & Discrimination: The Mumbai Experience

Main Author: Amresh Shrivastava MD, DPM, MRCPsych, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.

Co-Authors: Gopa Sarkhel, MA, Iyer Sunita MA, Thakar Meghana MA, Shah Nilesh, MD, DPM

Address of Presenter: Executive Director, Mental health foundation of India (PRERANA Charitable Trust) Mumbai, India; Currently at Department of Psychiatry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada Address: Regional mental health care, 467 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas, N5N 3V9, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada Phone: 1-5196318510; Fax: 1-519-631-2512. E-mail: amresh.edu@gmail.com

Background: People with schizophrenia suffer from stigma and discrimination to a great extent, and this continues to be a major factor preventing treatment and social integration. This study was part of the WPA’s ‘Open-the-doors’ global anti-stigma programme.

Aims: The main objective was too describe the manifestations and impact of stigma in family members and patients with schizophrenia in the metropolis of Mumbai.

Method: A semi-structured survey was given to the members of three hundred families of schizophrenics attending a carer's meeting—an ongoing psycho-educational and self help support group activity. Two hundred and twenty four responded (75% response).

Results: Results showed that stigma and discrimination were present in social, personal, and occupational spheres. It caused poor self-esteem (69%), discrimination within families (50%), marital problems (44%), and employment discrimination (42%). It mostly manifested in the form of neglect (61%), offensive comments (46%), and negative projections in the media (32%). A major source of stigma was identified as the general community (69%), leading to psychosocial consequences such as hiding the illness (38%), lack of acceptance in families (31%), refusal for jobs (27%), social exclusion (23%), and social harassment (14%).

Conclusions: Stigma and discrimination affected all areas of life and caused negative psycho-social impacts.