Stigma Towards Depression in Rural Ireland: A Qualitative Exploration

Abstract

The configuration of one's social environment influences the course and experience of depression. Research suggests that experiencing depression is associated with stigmatisation and the concomitant experiencing of discrimination across many facets of social life. This is identified as a particularly important factor in rural communities. Contemporary work is absent in relation to understanding the stigma towards depression in Ireland, and its manifestation in rural Ireland specifically. Evidence is presented which suggests that depression is a significant source of stigmatisation in this setting, and that entrenched views centring upon disability and fear are prevalent.

‘You don't want to be seen to be struggling’; identifying sociocultural barriers and facilitators for Irish farmers’ mental health help‐seeking

“…This culture of hiding ‘weakness’ may be especially entrenched in rural Ireland, as recent investigations into mental health attitudes (Kennedy, 2018) continue to reveal longstanding perspectives of fear, stigma and shame (Scheper‐Hughes, 2001). In this way, Irish farmers’ ability to perform their jobs with as little help as possible, functioned not only as a source of their own occupational identity and wellbeing (Burton, 2004; Ní Laoire, 2005) but also as a necessary source of social capital in their rural communities (Sutherland & Burton, 2011).…”

Through our lens: Experiences of adult mental health service consumers in the Arrow Lakes Region of British Columbia

“…, Polaha, William, Heflinger and Studts (2015),Stewart, Jameson and Curtin (2015),Crawford and Brown (2002), andKennedy (2018). These inquiries have unveiled understandings of the ways in which stigma poses a barrier to mental health maintenance in the lives of rural residents.…”