Mental health consumer and caregiver perceptions of stigma in Australian community pharmacies

Background: The stigma of mental illness can be a barrier to effective medication management in the community pharmacy setting. This article explored mental health consumers’ or caregivers’ experiences of stigma in Australian community pharmacies. Materials: Semi-structured interviews and focus grou...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Knox, K., Fejzic, J., Mey, A., Fowler, J., Kelly, F., McConnell, D., Hattingh, H. Laetitia, Wheeler, A.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Sage Publications Ltd. 2014
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Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/19022
Description
Summary:Background: The stigma of mental illness can be a barrier to effective medication management in the community pharmacy setting. This article explored mental health consumers’ or caregivers’ experiences of stigma in Australian community pharmacies. Materials: Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with a purposive sample of consumers or caregivers (n = 74). Interview transcripts were analysed using a general inductive approach. Discussion: Stigma presented a barrier to effective mental health management. Self-stigma impeded consumers’ community pharmacy engagement. Positive relationships with knowledgeable staff are fundamental to reducing stigma. Conclusions: Findings provide insight into the stigma of mental illness in community pharmacies.