Abstract

Mental health is an essential component of overall well-being, influencing how individuals think, feel,
cope with stress, and interact with others. Despite increasing global awareness, mental health stigma
continues to remain a major public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries,
where misconceptions, discrimination, and limited access to care discourage individuals from seeking
professional support. This study aimed to assess mental health awareness and stigma among residents
of Shankharapur Municipality, Kathmandu, Nepal, and to identify barriers to mental health care as well
as possible strategies to reduce stigma within the community. A cross-sectional descriptive mixed-
method research design was employed among 105 respondents selected through simple random
sampling from Ward No. 6. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and face-to-face
interviews and analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The findings revealed that
respondents generally possessed a good level of mental health awareness, with many recognizing the
importance of mental health and acknowledging that mental illness can affect anyone. However,
stigmatizing attitudes and misconceptions remained prevalent, including beliefs that mental illness is
associated with danger, personal weakness, and shame. Major barriers to accessing mental health
support included lack of awareness, social stigma, fear of judgment, family influence, and poor
communication. Despite these challenges, respondents expressed positive attitudes toward recovery and
social inclusion of individuals with mental illness. The study concludes that although mental health
awareness is gradually improving, stigma remains a significant barrier to help-seeking behavior.
Therefore, community-based awareness programs, mental health education, counseling services, and
culturally sensitive anti-stigma interventions are essential to improve mental health outcomes and
promote a supportive social environment.