Nimby and mental health - The attitude of the Finnish population towards mental health disorders

suomalaisen väestön suhtautuminen mielenterveysongelmiin

Authors

• Päivi Rissanen Mielenterveyden keskusliitto
• Sari Jurvansuu A-klinikkasäätiö
• Janne Jalava

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23990/sa.125924

Keywords:

mental health, social distance, numby, stigma

Abstract

The study examines the attitudes of the Finnish population towards mental health disorders. Mental Health Barometer data collected in 2020 (answered by 2 231 Finnish) is analyzed from two perspectives: social distance and the Not in my backyard (nimby) phenomenon, i.e., how the population view people with depression, schizophrenia or substance abuse as neighbours, as well as the construction of housing units for them in their neighbourhood. We used cross-tabulation, binary logistic regression analysis and related significance tests to map the distribution of views in the Finnish population and in different population groups. Attitudes towards mental disorders were revealed to be a multifaceted and changing phenomenon, linked to a variety of socio-economic factors as well as people's life situations, living environments and values. Negative attitudes were explained particularly by the identification with right wing values and no experience of one's own or a loved one's mental disorder.  A deeper understanding of the phenomenon is essential in anti-stigma work and service development.