Mental health–related stigma remains a significant public health concern, contributing to undertreatment and reduced quality of life for affected individuals. In clinical settings, social marginalization further compounds these challenges, often leading to delayed or inadequate care. Importantly, stigma is not only experienced by healthcare professionals themselves but is also perpetuated within the medical community when colleagues are affected. Such attitudes may in part stem from insufficient training and awareness during medical education, highlighting the need for stronger emphasis on mental health literacy in medical curriculum.
What is stopping physicians from seeking help? Individual barriers – Physicians’ perfectionism, sense of duty, and fear of weakness often lead to self-stigma, delayed help-seeking, self-medication, or withdrawal. Societal stigma – Mental illness…
