Assessment of public experience and awareness about mental illnesses and their related socio-demographic factors

Background: Because Iraq’s people has been exposed to many traumas, including war and displacement, mental problems in Iraq are a serious concern. An important factor in the prevention and control of mental illnesses (MIs) is adequate awareness of these conditions and their related factors. This study aims to evaluate the awareness of MIs among the population of Mosul City, Iraq.

Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to assess public awareness of MI. Data was collected from participants who agreed to participate while visiting six different health institutions in Mosul City during the data collection period. Data was collected from participants over a four-month period using a questionnaire and analyzed with the SPSS software program.

Results: Among the 800 participants enrolled in this study, 68% reported experiencing unhappiness in the past months. Genetic inheritance as a cause of MI was acknowledged by 52.0% of participants. Inappropriate behavior and feelings of sadness were identified as signs and symptoms of MI by 48.5% and 47.8% of participants, respectively. The most commonly reported effect of MI was harmful consequences for oneself or others, followed by educational impairment, reported by 47.5% and 45.1% of participants, respectively. Regarding the treatment of MI, 76% of participants chose consulting a psychiatrist, while 32.6% believed that a religious leader could treat a mentally ill patient. The overall level of accepted awareness among the study population was 40.4%, with no significant differences observed across socio-demographic groups.

Conclusions: Experience with MI was common among participants; however, awareness of MI was generally low in the study population. It is recommended to improve health literacy, reduce stigma, and provide adequate MI treatment and counseling centers that are acceptable and accessible to all individuals.