Mental Health Stigma

In the Chinese cultural context, mental health problems may be stigmatised and help-seeking may be viewed as weakness or personal failure. Preferences for indirect, anonymous, or less intrusive support may reflect cultural norms of restraint, collectivism, privacy concern, stigma avoidance, and reputation protection. Healthcare workers in China often appeared reluctant to seek psychological support despite having access to services. Cultural pressures related to stigma and reputation can reduce the acceptability of face-to-face psychological interventions. Some nurses denied needing psychological help even when stress symptoms were present, reflecting particular reluctance among that occupational group.