Perspective of Mental Health Professionals toward Stigma and Discrimination Faced by the Caregivers of Patients with Bipolar Disorder: A Qualitative Study

Aim of the Study: The present study was conducted to explore the perspectives of mental health professionals on stigma and discrimination faced by the caregivers of patients with Bipolar Disorder. Methodology: The qualitative research design was used in the present study to get detailed information on stigma and discrimination. Participants were selected through a purposive sampling strategy. In-depth and face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 6 mental health professionals practicing in government institutes of Lahore. The interviews typically lasted for about 20 minutes. The interviews were recorded and then transcribed. The results were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings: Six major themes emerged, which included; perpetrators of stigma against caregivers, forms of stigma experienced by caregivers, root causes of stigma: lack of education and superstitious beliefs, challenges faced by caregivers as a result of stigma, demographical and geographical dimensions of stigma, and proposed initiatives to overcome stigma among caregivers. Conclusion: All the themes included different subthemes, explaining the perspectives of mental health professionals regarding stigma and discrimination.