Mental health stigma in Ukraine over time: A cross-sectional study

This study examined changes in public knowledge, behaviours and attitudes towards individuals with mental health disorders in Ukraine. A nationwide survey was used to gather data from Ukrainian adults; this data was then compared with data gathered by Quirke et al. (2021, Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health, 8) to form a comparison study. In congruence with the original study, the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule, the Community Attitudes towards Mental Illness Scale and the Reported Intended Behaviour scales were used. Measures of knowledge and attitudes towards individuals with mental disorders reflected a small reduction of knowledge (r = 0.13, p < .001) and a large reduction in benevolent attitudes (r = 0.96, p < .001). Conversely, there was a large decrease in authoritarian attitudes (r = -0.50, p < .001). Measures of behaviour reflected a medium positive increase in past and present behaviour (r = 0.33, p < .001) and a small positive increase in intended future behaviour towards individuals with mental illness (r = 0.24, p < .001). These findings provide a snapshot of changes in stigma towards those with mental health disorders in Ukraine and highlighted the growing need for evidence-based anti-stigma interventions and the monitoring of their impact. Impact statement This study demonstrated varying changes in mental health stigma in Ukraine with regard to knowledge of, attitudes towards and behaviours towards those with mental health disorders. These have both improved and worsened since the escalation of the war and the delivery of numerous mental health anti-stigma campaigns in Ukraine. These findings hold implications for policymakers by highlighting the need to continue delivering campaigns aimed at targeting stigmatising views and behaviours towards those with mental health disorders. The study also highlights a strong need for monitoring of this type of stigma in Ukraine while campaigns are being delivered in order to better understand the impact of these.