{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,14]],"date-time":"2026-07-14T09:04:18Z","timestamp":1784019858617,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":65,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"7","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,4]],"date-time":"2026-07-04T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1783123200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["IJERPH"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: Stigma is a persistent barrier to psychosocial wellbeing and recovery of individuals with mental illnesses. Aim: This study aims to examine stigma experienced by individuals diagnosed with mental illnesses. Method: A systematic review and meta-synthesis of peer-reviewed qualitative primary studies followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Five databases: CINAHL Ultimate, APA PsycArticles, APA PsycINFO, MEDLINE Ultimate, and Embase were searched for studies published between 2021 and 2025. A total of 17 studies were included after rigorous screening. Results: Thematic analysis identified three major themes and fifteen sub-themes. These are manifestations of stigma (prevalence of stigma, operation of stigma, stigma related to mental health diagnosis, stigma related to motherhood and impacts of stigma), multiple factors shaping stigma (ignorance and misunderstanding, spiritual and religious beliefs, family and friends, cultural beliefs) and management of stigma (management strategies, internalising stigma, isolation due to stigma, disclosure of mental illness, non-disclosure of mental illness and help-seeking for mental illness). Conclusions: Stigma related to mental illness remains widespread and continues to influence individuals\u2019 experiences, relationships, and help-seeking behaviours. Addressing stigma through improved mental health awareness and supportive environments is essential to promote recovery and wellbeing.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph23070873","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,6]],"date-time":"2026-07-06T14:56:42Z","timestamp":1783349802000},"page":"873","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["\u201cI Was Embarrassed to Go and See a Counsellor\u201d: Stigma Experienced by Individuals Diagnosed with Mental Illness (A Systematic Review and Meta-Synthesis)"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"23","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9285-9757","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Oladapo","family":"Akinlotan","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Health, Medicine & Social Care, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Anglia Ruskin University, Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0837-7270","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Dinithi","family":"Vidanage","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Nursing & Midwifery, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Colombo 10390, Sri Lanka"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Allen","family":"O\u2019connor","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk L39 4QP, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,4]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2026, April 16). 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