Can Destigmatizing Mental Health Increase Willingness to Seek Help? Experimental Evidence from Nepal

Lindsey Lacey (), Nirajana Mishra (), Priya Mukherjee (), Nikhilesh Prakash (), Nishith Prakash (), Diane Quinn (), Shwetlena Sabarwal () and Deepak Saraswat ()
Additional contact information
Lindsey Lacey: Allegheny County Department of Human Services
Nirajana Mishra: Northeastern University
Priya Mukherjee: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Nikhilesh Prakash: Stockholm School of Economics
Nishith Prakash: Northeastern University
Diane Quinn: University of Connecticut
Shwetlena Sabarwal: World Bank
Deepak Saraswat: University of Connecticut

No 17166, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: We conducted a randomized control trial to study the impact of two information messages aimed at reducing the stigma associated with mental illness on the willingness to seek mental healthcare among adults in Nepal. The first intervention shares information about the prevalence of mental health issues and the efficacy of treatment. The second intervention shares information about the mental health struggles of a Nepali celebrity and how he benefited from treatment. We find three results. First, compared to a no-information control group, both interventions increase participants' stated willingness to seek mental health treatment. This effect is driven by participants with high personal and anticipated stigma, less severe symptoms of depression and anxiety, and who hold strong beliefs about conformity to masculinity. Second, the impact on participants' stated willingness to seek mental health treatment mirrors their willingness to pay for counseling. Third, participants are, on average, more likely to report willingness to seek help when the enumerator is female.

Keywords: seeking help; prejudice; stigma; mental health; celebrity; Nepal (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I12 I15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 65 pages
Date: 2024-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dcm, nep-exp and nep-hea
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
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Published - published in: Journal of Policy Analysis & Management, 2025, 44 (1), 97-124

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