Citation

Georgiades S. Int. J. Ment. Health 2009; 38(2): 3-20.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, M.E. Sharpe)

DOI

10.2753/IMH0020-7411380201

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study is one of the very first research projects on Mental Health (MH) issues in Cyprus and, to the author's best knowledge, the first community assessment with the public at large as evaluator. A random sample was drawn from Nicosia (N = 120; response rate = O.71) and called. On average, respondents assessed the MH public education campaign in Cyprus as fair; a more critical evaluation was associated with more educated, poorer, and older respondents. Forty percent of respondents opposed the solicitation of professional psychological support for severe emotional difficulties, and 30 percent had an emphatically negative attitude toward medication for MH challenges. Seven percent were at risk for suicide at some point in their life; the strongest sociodemographic risk factors for suicide were being less affluent and being a woman. Finally, respondents' MH challenges originated primarily from the following problems (in order of severity): financial, relationship, occupational, and the loss or illness of a loved one. The implications and limitations of the findings are discussed. © 2009 M.E. Sharpe, Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en