A poll in Kyrgyzstan's south demonstrates a poor public awareness of mental health

The National Health Promotion Center revealed the results of a poll that measured public knowledge about mental health.

The poll was conducted in the Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Batken regions. The intended audience comprised those over the age of 18 who lived in cities, district centres, and villages. People of all sexes, ages, educational levels, and socioeconomic classes made up the crowd.

According to the poll, the general public has a low level of mental health awareness. Despite the fact that 59% of respondents are familiar with the concept of depression, and half of those who said they have anxiety (50%) are aware that these symptoms are linked to mental illness, only 37% are aware that these disorders are linked to mental illness. However, the majority of those asked (53%) agree that depression and anxiety should be addressed by a doctor. A family physician should be consulted by 27% of those polled, whereas a neurologist should be consulted by 40% of those polled. According to 22% of respondents, seeing a psychiatrist is the best option. Only 8% of those polled believe they should consult a therapist. Of those asked, 24% said they had no idea which specialist they should consult. Only 2% of respondents said they would see a cardiologist. It's possible that this is due to a scarcity of mental health professionals on the area.

The general people, according to the poll, have a poor knowledge of mental illnesses. Schizophrenia is a condition that respondents are familiar with, with 25% mentioning it. 18% of respondents reported epilepsy and stress, while 17 percent and 13 percent, respectively, mentioned melancholy and worry.

Respondents also highlighted Alzheimer's disease (4 percent), hypochondria (3 percent), and dementia (3 percent), all of which are prevalent mental diseases among the elderly and senile.

Similarly, respondents' understanding of mental health issues in children and adolescents is insufficient. Cerebral palsy (20%), developmental impairments (16%), and gambling addiction are the most common conditions stated by respondents (12 percent ). 7 percent of respondents are aware of Down's syndrome, whereas 4 percent are aware of autism and 3 percent are aware of epilepsy.

The majority of respondents, especially women in their twenties and thirties, expressed a desire to learn more about mental health.

More information about depression and stress would be welcomed by the majority of responders (34% and 31%, respectively). A total of 26% of those polled wanted to learn more about suicides, while 22% wanted to learn more about distressing situations. Mental illnesses among children and adolescents, as well as the elderly and senile, pique the attention of 12% of those polled. 11% of people want to learn more about drug and alcohol abuse. According to the research, 17% of respondents wish to learn more about all mental diseases and difficulties.