[Beliefs on and attitudes toward mental diseases and the psychiatrist: exploratory study]

Preliminary findings of a research carried out to determine the main beliefs and attitudes general public holds toward three closely related attitudinal objects (namely: Mental illness, the mentally ill, and psychiatrists) are presented. A questionnaire specially designed for this study was applied to a 150-subject sample from the adult general population of Mexico City. Subjects' information level was higher than expected. Their attitudes were also more positive than those foreseen: A majority of subjects recognized both the importance of mental illness, and the advisability of seeking qualified treatment. Nevertheless, information regarding causes, characteristics and course of mental diseases is lacking to a wide extent: In this connection, the need for developing education programs is emphasized.