Depression is one of the most common mental disorders globally, with about 280 million people worldwide having depression; this translates into about 37% of mental disorder-related Disability-adjusted Life Years (DALYs). Despite its prevalence and the availability of effective treatments, stigma still surrounds the illness. Enacted stigma and discriminatory actions may be perpetrated at the interpersonal, organizational, or societal and systemic level. For those suffering from depression, the direct and indirect harms from enacted stigma and internalized stigma can cause deterioration in depressive symptoms and lead to further social and functional impairment, as well as compounding the challenges to seek help and to stay in treatment. Stigma can cause harm through its impact on the social determinants of health, and through an intersectional lens, further disempower and oppress marginalized populations. Since stigma can be manifested and experienced differently in different cultures, it is crucial that anti-stigma interventions consider both social and cultural factors, guided by the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

By increasing knowledge of the forms, mechanisms and harms caused by stigma around depression in diverse populations, this Research Topic will provide insights for developing more effective stigma-reduction strategies and interventions from a sociocultural perspective. It is expected that papers in this collection will inform best clinical practice, public health, and policy.

We invite researchers to submit their best work addressing
• the harmful interpersonal and/or systemic impact of stigma for diverse populations suffering from depression
• culturally-relevant psychosocial interventions on reducing enacted or internalized stigma surrounding depression
• the application of general or culture-specific mental health awareness and education strategies or interventions around depression
• the promotion of mental health services that embrace the notions of diversity, equity, and inclusion for persons suffering from depression in different sociocultural settings

Submissions may be in the form of original research articles, reviews, meta-analyses, opinions, perspectives, and case reports.

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Frontiers in Psychiatry

Submit your idea

Impact