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Open Access 01-04-2016 | Original Paper

Stigma in Male Depression and Suicide: A Canadian Sex Comparison Study

Authors: John L. Oliffe, John S. Ogrodniczuk, Susan J. Gordon, Genevieve Creighton, Mary T. Kelly, Nick Black, Corey Mackenzie

Published in: Community Mental Health Journal | Issue 3/2016

Abstract

Stigma in men’s depression and suicide can restrict help-seeking, reduce treatment compliance and deter individuals from confiding in friends and family. In this article we report sex comparison findings from a national survey of English-speaking adult Canadians about stigmatized beliefs concerning male depression and suicide. Among respondents without direct experience of depression or suicide (n = 541) more than a third endorsed the view that men with depression are unpredictable. Overall, a greater proportion of males endorsed stigmatizing views about male depression compared to female respondents. A greater proportion of female respondents endorsed items indicating that men who suicide are disconnected, lost and lonely. Male and female respondents with direct personal experience of depression or suicide (n = 360) strongly endorsed stigmatizing attitudes toward themselves and a greater proportion of male respondents indicated that they would be embarrassed about seeking help for depression.

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Title: Stigma in Male Depression and Suicide: A Canadian Sex Comparison Study
Authors: John L. Oliffe
John S. Ogrodniczuk
Susan J. Gordon
Genevieve Creighton
Mary T. Kelly
Nick Black
Corey Mackenzie
Publication date: 01-04-2016
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Community Mental Health Journal / Issue 3/2016
Print ISSN: 0010-3853
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2789
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-015-9986-x

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