Exploring the Mediating Effects of Beliefs Toward Mental Illness on the Relationship Between Religiosity and Self-Stigma of Seeking Help

It is well-known that mental health concerns are common worldwide. Despite the increased research and strategic programs designed to improve mental healthcare systems, there are still persistent gaps in the accessibility and utilization of these services globally. The struggle to improve mental healthcare is even more difficult in developing countries. As a developing country, Bahamian society has insufficiently addressed mental healthcare. Mental health concerns have been categorized as a number one priority for The Bahamas, and a strong effort for the detection, prevention, and treatment of mental health is highly recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2017). Statistics show that 90% of The Bahamas attend a church, and the country is considered a Christian nation; however, the impact of religiosity on mental health is largely unexplored with this population. To date, no studies have been conducted on the beliefs toward mental illness and the self-stigma toward seeking help in religious Bahamians. This study sought to understand the attitudes and beliefs of the Bahamian people toward mental illness and the interaction of religiosity and self-stigma; it was the goal of this researcher that the study would provide insights into interventions and programs that could increase utilization of mental health services and decrease barriers such as stigma.