Changing attitudes and knowledge towards mental illness: evaluation of an educational intervention in Syria

(supervisors Prof. Paula Hixenbaugh, Prof. Hazel Dewart and Dr. Kevin Morgan )
 
Email: masa.alkurdi@yahoo.com

Abstract

More negative attitudes are prevalent in the Arab world than in the West and socio-cultural factors are thought to influence attitudes.  Patients suffering with mental illness face discrimination and social blunder and this impedes mental health recovery & can result in psychiatric readmission. A gap exists between beliefs & present psychiatric knowledge and this discrepancy is thought to be the main cause for stigmatisation: knowledge is a major predictor of attitudes. Syrians are an understudied population and with the increase in modernisation mental health related problems are emerging. The aim of the research project is to develop and implement an educational intervention to improve knowledge of mental health and attitudes towards mental illness in Syria.  Social, cultural and religious factors will be taken into consideration when addressing the following problems:

1. What are current attitudes towards and knowledge of mental illness in Syria?
2. Can an educational intervention help improve both attitudes towards and knowledge of mental illness in Syria?

Publications/Presentations

Attitudes towards mental illness: a comparative study between the United Kingdom and Syria. At conferences for:

• American Psychosomatic Association in Chicago (March, 2009).
• British Arab Psychiatric Association (September, 2009).