title: Strategies to reduce the stigma toward people with mental disorders in Iran: stakeholders' perspectives.
abstract: Stigma affects all aspects of mental disorders, and is the most important risk factor for promoting mental health. The aim of this study was to explore strategies effective in reducing the stigma toward people with mental disorders in Iran.
  
  
  
  This qualitative study was conducted from 2013 to 2016. All participants were recruited by purposive sampling method. The majority of them were stakeholders of mental health in Iran. Data were collected through eight individual interviews, two focus groups, and six written narratives. The data were collected, coded and analyzed simultaneously. Content analysis was employed to analyze the qualitative interview data.
  
  
  
  The major themes that emerged were: "Emphasis on education and changing attitudes", "Changing the culture", "Promoting supportive services", "Role of various organizations and institutions", "Integrated reform of structures and policies to improve the performance of custodians", and "Evidence-based actions".
  
  
  
  This study did not investigate the extent of stigma or its origins, rather it examines strategies appropriate for implementation in Iran. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies for reducing the stigma attached to patients with mental disorders.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Arsia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taghva
authors.affiliation: Community Health Department, Faculty of Nursing, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Kaj St., Shariati St, Tehran, Iran. z.farsi@ajaums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5154-0758
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Farsi
authors.affiliation: AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Yavar
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Javanmard
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychology Bangalore University, Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: Afsaneh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Atashi
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Addiction & Risky Behavior (ReCARB), Psychiatric Department, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hajebi
authors.affiliation: Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ahmad Ali
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Noorbala
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D057545:Social Stigma; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Mental disorders; Psychiatry; Psychology; Qualitative research; Stigma reduction