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Mental illness-related stigma does not only emanate from the public but also within families of persons with mental illnesses. Familial mental illness stigma implies family members perpetuating stigma against their loved ones with mental illnesses. The aim of this review was to analyze the empirical literature on experiences of familial mental illness stigma in four countries. Using seven databases, we reviewed 133 empirical studies with 26 meeting the inclusion criteria. Each of the 26 studies spoke to various forms of familial mental illness stigma that potentially impact the self-esteem and self-worth of the affected person. Findings from this review show the existence of familial mental illness stigma in high-income countries, highlighting the need for evidence-based policies to safeguard affected persons at the family level. Close relatives stigmatizing their loved ones due to mental illnesses have contributed to the concealment of mental illness diagnoses within families, which often results in poor prognoses. Family members' understanding of mental illnesses is key in confronting the stigma associated with mental disorders in our communities, but this is contingent on continuous comprehensive familial program and education. Constant social support from community services and family members is essential in the recovery of persons with mental illnesses. This underscores the need for a stigma-free environment at all levels of society to ensure all-inclusiveness which calls for a comprehensive strategy that targets policy changes, public education, and media representations of mental health-related problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible Summary: What is known on the subject?: Mental illness stigma has been long acknowledged as a social problem that continues to persist and contribute to social exclusion of affected persons globally.Researchers have explored mental illness stigma in the general public and among health professionals, with little focus on stigma from family members and close relatives of persons with mental illnesses. What the paper adds to existing knowledge?: This study appears to be the first meta‐synthesis of familial mental illness stigma in high‐income countries.Family members or close relatives of persons with mental illnesses may be perpetrators of stigma. That is, the family may enact stigma of mental illness against their relative to "save face" or by avoiding or narrowing their social contacts.Familial stigma is harmful due to the likely disaffection it brings within one's home environment. Familial mental stigma from the existing literature seems to be a by‐product of public stigma and stigma by association What are the implications for practice?: Further research is necessary to look at the existence of familial mental illness stigma as well as available policies to reduce its impact on affected individuals in high‐income countries.Researchers in high‐income countries should endeavour to examine the relationship between familial, public and associative stigma to establish baseline metrics to inform future anti‐stigma programs seeking to reduce familial mental illness stigma. Introduction: Familial mental illness stigma is a pervasive issue but very subtle in high‐income countries. Familial mental illness stigma implies persons living with mental illnesses are discriminated against by their family members or close relatives. Aim/Question: This meta‐synthesis explored the experiences of familial stigma among individuals living with mental illnesses in high‐income countries, focusing on empirical literature, to understand the breadth of current literature and ways to reduce this form of stigma. Method: We conducted a meta‐synthesis through a structured search of qualitative data from six electronic databases (Sociological Abstract, CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO, Google Scholar and Embase). Inclusion criteria comprised: empirical primary research, primary technique for data collection is qualitative, studies published in a peer‐reviewed journal in the English language between 2000 and 2020, studies reported on experiences of familial mental illness stigma, and studies conducted in high‐income countries. The exclusion criteria were as follows: all grey literature, studies not written in English and non‐peer‐reviewed, studies not focused on familial mental illness stigma, quantitative peer‐reviewed articles on the related concept and peer‐reviewed articles on the related topic before the year 2000. Results: The study identified only 28 peer‐reviewed articles on the topic within two decades. Concealment of familial stigma was found to be detrimental due to the potential for alienation within one's home environment. Disclosure and social contact within the family system were considered as critical interventions to provide some safety nets for individuals with mental illnesses. Discussion and implications for practice: The paucity of studies over the review period highlights the need for further attention to support optimal environments for persons living with mental illnesses. Families' understanding of the difficulties of mental illness stigma is vital to supporting the development of policies and interventions towards the avoidance of social exclusion within societies. Families should make concerted efforts to reduce stigma, and this includes within the family system. Education and training approaches around mental illness‐related stigma should involve individuals with lived experience and their families, as well as service providers and the general public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Youth mental health challenges are an emerging and persistent global public health issue despite efforts for improvement. As part of a broader social innovation study to transform youth mental health systems, this scoping review assesses interventions that aim for systems‐level changes to improve the mental well‐being of transitional age youth (TAY) (15–25 years) in high‐income countries. Methods: The scoping review method of Arksey and O'Malley (International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8, 2005, 19) was used. Seven health and social service databases were utilized with study inclusion criteria applied. Titles and abstracts were screened by two independent reviewers, and four members of the research team were involved in the review and thematic analysis of selected studies. Results: A total of 5652 peer‐reviewed articles were screened at the title and abstract level, of which 65 were assessed in full for eligibility, and 29 were included for final analysis. The peer‐reviewed articles and gray literature were based in seven different high‐income countries and published between 2008 and 2019. Four major themes to support youth mental health were identified in the literature: (a) improving transitions from youth to adult mental healthcare services; (b) moving care from institutions to the community; (c) general empowerment of youth in society; and (d) youth voice within the system. Inconsistent or limited systems‐level approaches to TAY mental health care were noted. Conclusions: There remains a need for innovative, evidence‐based approaches to improve TAY mental health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although research to date has shown that there can be no health or sustainable development without good mental health, mental illness continues to significantly impact societies. A major challenge confronting people with mental illnesses and their families is the stigma that they endure. In this study, empirical literature was reviewed to assess policies and interventions that seek to reduce familial mental illness stigma across four countries. We used Arksey and O'Malley methodological framework, and a qualitative content analysis was employed to augment the descriptive data extracted. Seven studies published between 2000 and 2020 were analyzed. We propose herein three themes that align with interventions to reduce familial mental illness stigma: transformative education, sharing and disclosure, and social networking and support. The findings indicate that persuasive and purposeful education directed at the public to correct misconceptions surrounding mental illness, with attention to language, may help in reducing familial mental illness stigma. Disclosure of mental illness is encouraged among persons with mental illnesses and their families as a strategy to enhance mutual understanding. Social sharing also affords persons with mental illnesses opportunities to engage with their peers at different levels within the public sphere. Apart from these recommendations, we have noted a paucity of broad governmental-level policies and interventions to comprehensively address the negative attitudes of families toward their relatives. Future work must address this gap to identify effective interventions to create healthier and supportive environments that address familial mental illness stigma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]