Perception of Mental Health Stigma Among Young Adults Aged 18–25 in Khartoum, Sudan (2025)
Perception of Mental Health Stigma Among Young Adults Aged 18–25 in Khartoum, Sudan (2025)
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Date
2025
Authors
Sireen ismail Ali Saadeldin
Hajar Salah Eldien Hassan Haroun
Awab Hisham Al-tayeb Haroun
Journal Title
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Publisher
Napata College
Abstract
Background
This study explores how young adults in Sudan perceive mental health and its
associated stigma, shaped by conflict, displacement, and cultural norms. Focusing on
both displaced and non-displaced individuals in Khartoum, it highlights the urgent
need for context-sensitive strategies to reduce stigma and improve mental well-being.
Objective
To explore and understand the perceptions of mental health stigma among young
adults aged 18 to 25 in Khartoum in 2025, with the aim of identifying key cultural,
social, and contextual factors influencing stigma and informing effective, locally
relevant mental health strategies.
Materials and methods
This is a cross-sectional study conducted in 2025 and covered 216 young adults aged
18–25, randomly recruited from Khartoum, Sudan. Data were collected using online,
closed-ended standardized questionnaires. The questionnaire was coordinated and
supervised by the Research Team Members to maintain consistency and data quality
throughout the process.
Results
Atotal of 216 young adults participated in the study. The majority were aged between
21 and 25 years, with females comprising 61% of the sample. Most participants (93%)
had been displaced due to conflict, and 94% had received a university or college
education. About 65% were students, while 14% were unemployed.
Regarding awareness of mental health stigma, 66% had heard of the term, while
14.4% reported not knowing what it meant, and 18.5% provided unrelated responses.
Furthermore, 79% believed that mental health conditions are treated differently than
physical health conditions in their communities. Over 80% perceived stigma in
Khartoum to be strong or very strong, and most described the general public’s attitude
toward mental illness as negative.
Cultural beliefs (69%) and religion (57%) were reported as key influences shaping
perceptions of mental health. Additionally, 82% of participants associated mental
illness with supernatural causes. Education level was noted to have a significant
impact on perception, and 55% had been exposed to mental health discussions during
school or university.
IV
When asked about the impact of stigma, 87% believed it reduced young adults’
willingness to seek help. Among those who felt they needed support, 48.1% had
avoided seeking care due to fear of judgment. Discrimination in social and
professional settings was acknowledged by 69% of respondents.
In terms of lived experience, 15.2% reported experiencing trauma. Among them,
48.4% said it came from peers (e.g., friends or classmates), 33.3% from family
members, and 18.8% from workplaces.
Description
Napata College