1Senior Resident, Department of Geriatric Mental Health, King George's Medical University, Lucknow-226003, Uttar Pradesh, India
2Professor and Head of the Department, Department of Psychiatry, Gauhati Medical College Hospital, Guwahati, Assam, India
*Correspondence: Dr Anil Kumar, MD, Room No. G/601, Buddha Resident Hostel, King George's Medical University, Lucknow-226003, Uttar Pradesh, India, anil2OO5kumar5@gmail.com
Online published on 1 July, 2016.
Psychiatric illnesses are very common in prevalence. But not everyone who has a mental illness gets a psychiatric consultation. The causes are many. First, many time people don't recognise and accept mental illnesses in them as a result of lack of insight and awareness. Secondly, even if they know they have a mental illness, they don't feel comfortable in disclosing it. Third, after knowing that they have some problems which require help from a doctor, they don't know whom to consult, where to consult, and how to consult. Fourth, in spite of all possible awareness, there may not be psychiatric facilities nearby. Thus, it becomes utmost necessary to discuss those factors which stop people with psychiatric illnesses to get adequate help so that remedial steps could be taken.
Stigma, Myths, Burden, World Health Organization
