The stigma of mental illness and the social perception of health services.

Internalized stigma in patients with mental illness, understood as the phenomenon that occurs when the subject internalizes a prejudice or stereotype that has been imposed on him/her and directs it towards him/herself, generates a significant negative psychological impact. This has been associated with unfavorable results in medical management, social avoidance, difficulties in achieving personal goals and objectives, and limitation of the search for professional help. Therefore, if a positive impact on the health and functionality of patients is to be achieved, stigma becomes an important element of study.

The present research aims to determine the association of the levels of stigmatization in a sample of patients with mental pathology attending outpatient and day clinic at the Clínica Nuestra Señora de la Paz in Bogotá - Colombia, with the acceptance and use of mental health services. To this end, an analytical cross-sectional study will be carried out in which the 12-item scale of internalized stigma of mental illness (ISMI-12), adjusted and validated for the Latin American population, and an instrument that explores the perception of the acceptance of the use of mental health services will be applied. Specifically, a sample of patients between 18 and 65 years of age, attending the outpatient service and the day clinic program of the Clínica Nuestra Señora de La Paz during a period of two months, will be used. Through this research, it is expected to demonstrate the association between the levels of internalized stigma and the perception of the acceptance of mental health services of patients in this context, in order to generate and apply new strategies to improve their clinical outcomes.

Estigma; Salud mental;