The stigma of mental illness in Asian cultures.
OBJECTIVE
This article reviews the attitudes towards mental illness and psychiatric stigma in Asian cultures.


METHODS
Relevant literature published in English was reviewed.


RESULTS
Psychiatric stigmas in Asian cultures share some common features. However, response to mental illness has many variations across cultures. Psychiatric stigma is prevalent and severe in some but not all Asian cultures.


CONCLUSIONS
The stigma of mental illness needs to be studied within its sociocultural context in order to understand its origins, meanings and consequences. It may be relevant to examine the indigenous concepts, experience and implications of psychological problems to address problems in mental health care relating to stigma.
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St Vincent's Hospital and Community Psychiatric Service, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia.
D001290:Attitude; D003469:Culture; D005006:Ethnicity; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders