Confronting mental health stigma in Haitian Americans suffering from mental health challenges

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Haitian Americans have been disproportionately exposed to risk factors known to play a significant role in the development of mental illness. Yet despite the documented effectiveness of mental health treatment, a high proportion of Haitian Americans with mental health disorders have not received care. Local problem: Internalized stigma of mental illness (ISMI) was reported as one of the primary reasons Haitian Americans do not seek help for mental illnesses, resulting in poor long-term outcomes for individuals and families in this community. This quality improvement project characterized ISMI among Haitian Americans, examined associated demographic factors, and tested the impact of a culturally relevant ISMI educational video intervention on willingness to seek mental health treatment. Methods: Haitian Americans who self-reported mental illness (N = 20) were recruited from a South Florida clinic. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and thematic analyses were completed to analyze the data. Interventions: Participants completed the nine-item ISMI scale, watched an educational video about ISMI, completed a post-intervention survey, and engaged in conversations about mental health and ISMI. Results: Sixty-five percent of participants reported mild levels of ISMI. Sex was significantly correlated with ISMI (r = −0.458, p = .042); male participants experienced higher levels of ISMI. The educational video improved participants' knowledge of ISMI, and 85% indicated increased willingness to seek treatment. Conclusions: When caring for Haitian Americans with mental illnesses, nurse practitioners should initiate conversations about ISMI, consider gender differences in mental illness beliefs and attitudes, and provide culturally responsive psychoeducational interventions to promote more mental health treatment utilization.