Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

Stigma and Public Health Challenges of Mental Health

Chenyue MaThe University of Manchester*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

Mental health stigma remains a pervasive barrier to achieving equitable public health outcomes worldwide. Despite increasing awareness of the burden of mental illness, stigma continues to manifest at individual, cultural, and structural levels, restricting help-seeking behavior, limiting access to care, and exacerbating health disparities. This paper examines the conceptual foundations of stigma through Goffman’s theory and Link and Phelan’s framework, situating stigma within public health contexts. Cross-cultural comparisons highlight how cultural beliefs shape attitudes toward mental illness, with particular emphasis on studies from Western, Asian, and African societies. The analysis further explores the consequences of stigma during public health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and its role in shaping treatment gaps and social exclusion. Evidence-based interventions, including large-scale anti-stigma campaigns, community-based programs, and the integration of digital health tool scale reviewed to evaluate their effectiveness in reducing discrimination and improving mental health outcomes. By synthesizing empirical research and theoretical insights, this study underscores the necessity of addressing stigma as a fundamental determinant of population health and proposes policy directions for integrating stigma reduction into global mental health strategies.

Keywords: stigma; mental health; public health; cultural factors; interventions
Published: November 5, 2025
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2025.NE29039
Volume: CHR Vol.87
pp. 144-149
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