International Study of Discrimination and Stigma Outcomes (INDIGO)

Background: Indigo Partnership research program is a multi-site collaboration for anti-stigma interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (China, Ethiopia, India, Nepal, and Tunisia) that aims to carry out research to strengthen the understanding of mechanisms of stigma processes and reduce stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness in LMICs; and establish a strong collaborative research consortium through the conduct of this work. The Indigo partnership involves developing and pilot testing anti-stigma interventions at the community, primary care, and specialist care levels, with a systematic approach to cultural and contextual adaptation across the sites.

Objectives:

• To provide training to primary health care workers to identify and provide mental health services.
• To provide training to mental health professionals to recognize their own stigma and minimize the effects of this.
• To provide training to mental health professionals to combat interpersonal discrimination and foster advocacy at the individual/family level.
• To provide training to Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) on mental health problems, stigma and discrimination to identify and provide referral of mental health patients.
• To reduce the mental health stigma and discrimination by conducting public awareness program at the community level.

Target Group:

• Psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses
• Government health workers (Medical officers, Health Assistants, Auxiliary Health Workers)
• Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs)
• Community members

Implementation area: Selected rural municipalities of Syangja district and Pokhara metropolitan of Kaski district

Time frame: December 2020- August 2023

Supported by: Kings College London