Attitude of Indian urban adults towards mental illnesses

In an urban area of Jhansi 238 adults were interviewed to asses their views regarding mental illnesses. Mental illness was not perceived as a serious disease. Cancer was perceived as the most serious disease. Worries, faulty upbringing, overwork were perceived as a cause of mental illness by majority. Early identification sings of mental illness described by them were difficulty in sleeping, changes in facial expression and feeling of impending mental imbalance. Marital alliance with them was not favoured. However, a sympathetic attitude towards mental patients was favoured. Avoiding tension, adapting oneself to circumstances, a consulting elders were considered as preventive measures against mental illness by majority.