Unraveling Mental Health Stigma: A Qualitative Study of Health Science Students' Perceptions Toward Patients With Mental Illness in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Background: The stigma surrounding mental health is a key public health issue that can impede timely help-seeking and weaken the therapeutic relationships between individuals with mental health conditions and healthcare professionals. Although stigma among health profession students in the Arab region has been studied, its exploration among United Arab Emirates health science students remains limited. This gap highlights the novelty and significance of the present study. Objective: This study explored attitudes related to mental health stigma toward individuals with mental illnesses among Year 3 baccalaureate students. Design: A qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive approach was used. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 students enrolled in seven healthcare programs. Thematic analysis was adopted for the data analysis. Results: Four distinct interrelated themes were extracted from our content analysis: (1) perception and knowledge of mental health, (2) unpacking stigma surrounding mental illness, (3) attitudes toward mental health, and (4) advocacy and education: recognizing the urgency of promoting mental health awareness and initiatives. Conclusions: Students generally held positive views on mental health, though some expressed stigma and noted insufficient education depth. These findings suggest the need for targeted curriculum interventions to better prepare health science students for future roles.