Exploring Racial and Ethnic Inequities in Stigmatizing Attitudes Toward Mental Health in the Midwestern United States

This study aims to explore how race and ethnicity influence stigmatizing attitudes and behaviors towards individuals with mental health conditions (MHC) in the Midwestern US.

The sample consisted of 497 respondents who took part in a survey that was part of the annual evaluation of the WhatMakesUs campaign. An online cross- sectional survey was conducted from January 10th to February 7th, 2024, across four counties in Nebraska and Iowa. The survey assessed sociodemographic characteristics, attitudes, and behaviors related to MHC.

Black/African American (AA) respondents were more likely to believe that individuals with MHC should not have responsibilities, less likely to think that individuals with MHC desire paid employment, and perceived medication and therapy and counseling as less effective treatments. They also felt less comfortable offering support to others about their MHC compared to non- Black/AA respondents. Conversely, Hispanic/Latino respondents demonstrated a higher likelihood of knowing what advice to give a friend seeking professional help and believed that most individuals with MHC seek help from healthcare professionals. However, they were less likely to believe that anyone can be diagnosed with MHC. They were also more inclined to hide their MHC from family and coworkers or classmates.

The findings suggest the need for culturally sensitive, multifaceted interventions to reduce mental health stigma and promote early intervention and effective treatments for diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.