By reducing social distance and exclusion of groups at risk of marginalization, it is possible to contribute not only to improving their individual health, but also to general public health, because equal access to health services and social protection for all citizens creates balance and strengthens the foundations of a healthier society.
This was announced by the non-governmental organization Juventas on the occasion of April 7, International Health Day.
The organization recalled the research they conducted with the support of CAZAS, the Global Fund for Malaria, Tuberculosis and HIV-AIDS, the Ministry of Health and the Institute of Public Health, which aimed to examine the perceptions and attitudes of the general population in Montenegro towards human rights, with a special focus on groups facing pronounced stigma and discrimination.
"The focus of the research was on issues of respecting the rights of people engaged in sex work, LGBTIQ+ people, people who use drugs, former prisoners and people living with HIV. Although stigmatization of individuals and groups is present in all societies, the specific forms and consequences differ depending on the context, which requires a more detailed insight into the specificities of Montenegrin society," the press release says, according to PR Center.
Juventas pointed out that negative perceptions, stereotypes and discrimination directly affect access to rights, services and resources, creating a vicious cycle of marginalization.
"Previous research provides detailed insight into specific forms of stigmatization in the context of psychoactive substance use, sex work, HIV status, belonging to the LGBTIQ+ population, serving a prison sentence, as well as belonging to ethnic minorities in Montenegro and the wider region. The results indicate the connection between stigma and the violation of human rights and access to health and social services, and the need for comprehensive social changes that will enable equal treatment and protection of the dignity of all citizens," Juventas stated.
They explained that the research measured a pronounced social distance towards LGBT people, people living with HIV, people who use drugs and people who engage in sex work, as well as a high distance towards people who have served prison sentences and the RE population.
However, citizens' attitudes towards some specific issues related to health and social protection of groups at risk of social protection indicate that the general population has understanding and expects greater support from the state in some specific areas or situations.
"The results show, among other things, that 73,1 percent of respondents fully or partially agree with the position that "The state should provide free treatment/addiction treatment for people who use drugs," Juventas said.
They indicated that only 5,7% of respondents fully agreed with the statement "We have enough psychologists in the healthcare system", while 22,6% partially agreed, 20,9% had a neutral opinion, while 46,8% of respondents believed that there were not enough psychologists (22,5% mostly disagreed, and 24,3% disagreed at all). Additionally, 4% had no opinion.
"Only 3,9 percent of respondents fully agree with the statement 'The support provided by the state to our mental health is satisfactory', while 24,1 percent partially support the statement. 19,8 percent of respondents have a neutral stance, while 49,3 percent of respondents believe that the support is not satisfactory. At the same time, 3 percent have no opinion," Juventas stated.
They said that "There is no shame in using the services of a psychologist or psychiatrist" is the opinion of 81.8 percent of respondents (63,9 percent fully agree with this position, while 17,9 percent partially support the position).
"10,4 percent of respondents have a neutral opinion, and only 7 percent disagree. In addition, 0,8 percent have no opinion. This data may indicate a trend of decreasing stigma related to mental health. Only 6,1 percent of respondents believe that "Social Work Centers provide good support to everyone who needs support", while 30,7 percent partially agree. 29,7 percent of respondents have a neutral opinion, and 31,3 percent believe that the support is not satisfactory, while 2,2 percent have no opinion. Therefore, more than a third of respondents believe that social work centers do not provide sufficient support, which indicates the need to improve social services in order to better respond to the needs of citizens," said Juventas, reported PR Center.
They pointed to the view that "Women who engage in sex work should be protected by the police in the event of violence," held by the majority, 51,8 percent of respondents.
"16,5 percent of respondents have a neutral position, 25,9 percent disagree with this position, while 5,7 percent have no position. It can be concluded that more than half of the respondents believe that the police should protect sex workers in cases of violence. However, the significant percentage of respondents who still disagree with this is very worrying," Juventas said.
The survey, they add, showed that 3,1 percent fully agreed with the view that "the state provides good support for employment for persons who have served prison sentences," while 20,8 percent partially supported the view.
"Almost every third respondent has a neutral opinion - 31,3 percent, while a third, 34,3 percent, disagree. 10,5 percent of respondents do not have an opinion. Although opinions are divided, it stands out that there is a very small number of respondents who have an absolute opinion that the state provides sufficient support for the employment of former prisoners, which indicates the need for better reintegration programs and social support for this group," the statement says.
With the view that "The state provides good support for employment for people who use drugs": 2,2 percent of respondents completely agree, 17,2 percent partially support the view, while 29,2 percent have a neutral view, and 40 percent disagree. 11,4 percent of respondents have no opinion.
"The data shows support for better programs and legal measures to help groups at risk of social exclusion, such as people who use drugs, the LGBTIQ+ community, and sex workers. However, opinions are often divided, indicating the need for further education, public campaigns, and strengthening social and health support systems to reduce prejudice and improve social inclusion," Juventas assessed.
They pointed out that this is particularly important in the context of health, access to health services and mental health services, because the unequal treatment of members of the aforementioned groups in the health and social care system and their self-stigmatization, or fear of contact with service providers due to fear that their dignity will be violated, are intertwined, which all together has very bad consequences for mental and physical health.
"Since health does not only mean the absence of disease, but also the mental and social well-being of individuals, our message for Health Day is that by reducing social distance and reducing the social exclusion of groups at risk, we improve both individual and public health," Juventas said.
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