title: Attitudes towards depression, psychiatric medication and help-seeking intentions amid financial crisis: Findings from Athens area.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The financial crisis has yielded adverse effects on the population worldwide, as evidenced by elevated rates of major depression. International recommendations for offsetting the mental health impact of the recession highlight the need for effective treatment, including reduction in the stigma attached to the disorder.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study endeavoured to explore lay attitudes to depression and psychiatric medication during a period of financial crisis and to identify their correlates. Furthermore, it investigated their link to help-seeking intentions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A random and representative sample of 621 respondents from Athens area participated in the study (Response Rate = 81.7%). The telephone interview schedule consisted of the Personal Stigma Scale, a self-constructed scale tapping attitudes to psychiatric medication and one question addressing help-seeking intentions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The preponderant stigmatising belief about depression pertains to perceiving the disorder as a sign of personal weakness. In addition, stereotypes of unpredictability and dangerousness were popular among the sample. Nonetheless, stigmatising beliefs are much stronger with regard to psychiatric medication; perceived as addictive, capable of altering one's personality, less effective than homeopathic remedies and doing more harm than good. Help-seeking intentions were predicted by education, unemployment and attitudes to psychiatric medication solely.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Research on the mental health effects of the global recession should encompass studies investigating the stigma attached to mental disorders and its implications.
authors.affiliation: University Mental Health Research Institute, Athens, Greece First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece antistigma@epipsi.eu.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Economou
authors.affiliation: University Mental Health Research Institute, Athens, Greece First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Joanna Despina
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Bergiannaki
authors.affiliation: University Mental Health Research Institute, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Lily Evangelia
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Peppou
authors.affiliation: University Mental Health Research Institute, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Ismini
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Karayanni
authors.affiliation: University Mental Health Research Institute, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Skalkotos
authors.affiliation: University Mental Health Research Institute, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Patelakis
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Peloponnese, Corinth, Greece.
authors.forename: Kyriakos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Souliotis
authors.affiliation: University Mental Health Research Institute, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Costas
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stefanis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D057172:Economic Recession; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D000066505:Help-Seeking Behavior; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D057545:Social Stigma; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Stigma; depression; mental illness; recession; stereotypes