Perceptions of Mental Health, Shame and Help-Seeking Among Sikhs in the UK: A National Survey

Abstract

To understand UK Sikh community's perceptions of mental health shame, their attitudes towards mental health causes, treatments and help-seeking and the characteristics associated with these perceptions. An anonymous, online survey collected views from 1001 Sikh respondents on the causes and treatments for mental health (MH) difficulties and perceived barriers to help-seeking. The Attitudes to Mental Health Problems (ATMHP) questionnaire also measured respondents' perceptions of external, internal and reflected mental health-related shame. Respondents mostly endorsed biopsychosocial causes of MH difficulties and most viewed psychology/psychiatry/counselling, social and spiritual support as the main treatments. Shame, stigma and nonacceptance were seen as barriers to seeking help. Compared to previous UK surveys using the ATMHP, our Sikh respondents scored more strongly on most dimensions of MH shame compared to the general population or to students; they tended to score similarly or higher on MH shame compared to a previous ATMHP survey of UK South Asians. Internal shame was higher in single, younger people. Those inclined to help others perceived more negative MH attitudes within their community. Higher internal shame, higher perceived external family shame, and higher perceived negative community attitudes to MH were found in those who had had previous MH problems themselves. Within this generally young sample, perceptions of MH shame within communities/families were quite high, as was internalised shame. Such attitudes pose a significant barrier to MH help-seeking. These findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive MH services for the UK Sikh population.