Stavovi građana o osobama s duševnim smetnjama: od predrasuda do prihvaćenosti / Citizens’ Attitudes Toward Persons with Mental Health Difficulties: From Prejudice to Acceptance

This paper examines the perceptions of citizens, university professors, and practitioners regarding the stigmatization and social acceptance of persons with mental health difficulties. The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of stereotypes, prejudice, social distance, and discrimination toward persons with mental health difficulties, as well as to identify factors contributing to their stigmatization and possibilities for destigmatization. The research was conducted using a mixed-methods approach. The quantitative component included a survey of 175 citizens from Sarajevo Canton and Tuzla Canton, while the qualitative component involved the analysis of responses to open-ended questions and 20 semi-structured interviews with university professors and social workers. The findings indicate that stereotypes, prejudice, and social distance toward persons with mental health difficulties are still present, although the majority of participants expressed willingness to accept and support these individuals. Education, media campaigns, direct contact with persons with mental health difficulties, and their greater participation in public life were identified as the most important mechanisms for reducing stigmatization. The contribution of this study lies in providing a better understanding of the complexity of stigmatization through the analysis of perceptions held by different social groups, while highlighting the need for the development of systemic and multisectoral activities aimed at destigmatization and the social inclusion of persons with mental health difficulties in Bosnia and Herzegovina.