Assessing Attitudes Toward Mental Illness Among Postgraduate Medical Students: A Descriptive Study

Dr. Salwa Farooq, Dr. Bhavana Prasad, Dr. Anil Kumar B N

Abstract: Doctors play a crucial role in treating patients with mental illness. However, negative beliefs towards mental illness can affect the quality of care provided. This study aims to determine the beliefs towards mental illness among postgraduate medical students, assess their self-stigma in seeking psychological help, and compare preferences for online versus face-to-face counseling. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 72 postgraduate students from Shridevi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Hospital. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Belief Towards Mental Illness BTMI Scale, the Self-Stigma for Seeking Psychological Help Scale, the Online Counseling Attitude Scale OCAS, and the Face-to-Face Counseling Attitude Scale FFAS. Results: Positive attitudes towards mental illness were observed in 23.3 of postgraduate students. Self-stigma scores decreased from the 1st to the final year of study. Conclusion: Attitudes towards mental illness improve with increased exposure during postgraduate studies, and self-stigma in seeking psychological help decreases. Final year students showed a preference for face-to-face counseling over online counseling.

Keywords: BTMI, postgraduate medical students, self- stigma, online counselling, face to face counselling