## Internalized stigma of mental illness in Tehran, Iran. ## Stigma Research and Action, [online], 2011-02-28. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.5463/sra.v1i1.10 ### Abstract ### Purpose: There are an increasing number of studies on the subjective experience of stigma amongst mentally ill persons but still few coming from low- and middle-income countries, and very few from Muslim countries. The objective of this study was to look into the experience of internalized stigma in mentally ill persons in Tehran, Iran. Methods: A total of 138 patients with an affective disorder or schizophrenia from three psychiatric institutions in Tehran responded to the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMIS). This is a 29-item self-report questionnaire with good psychometric properties. An open-ended question about personal experiences of discrimination was included in the end of the questionnaire.Results: The experience of stigma because of mental illnesses was high in this Iranian sample. The level of stigma was similar to studies from Europe that used the same questionnaire. Conclusion: This is the first study of self-perceived stigma in mentally ill persons in Iran. Stigma is a reality even in an Islamic setting in spite of the teachings of the Koran and a rather well-developed mental health service. Implications: These results call for actions to reduce the experience of stigma in mentally ill persons in Iran.10.5463/sra.v1i1.10 ### Keywords: ### Internalized stigma, Iran, Islam, mental illness, perceived discrimination ### Full Text: ### [pdf](https://osf.io/skjn4) ### Authors #### *Helia Ghanean* Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden and Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran *Marzieh Nojomi* Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran *Lars Jacobsson* Umeå University, Umeå