Background: Numerous approaches have been taken to reduce mental health issues in the population. However, mental health problems are still arising in the population, and one of the main factors is discrimination towards the mentally ill patient. This issue is inhibiting people from seeking help. This study aimed to assess community discrimination towards people with mental illness and factors affecting it. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 840 respondents (420 males and 420 females) from Sarawak, Malaysia aged 21 years and above. Samples were selected by gender-stratified multistage sampling. Collection of data was done using a pre-tested questionnaire to assess the discrimination towards mental illness via face-to-face interviews. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the factors affecting community discrimination towards mental illness. Results: Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that aged between 40 to 49 years old (p = 0.004), aged between 50 to 59 years old (p < 0.001), female respondents (p = 0.014) and having no experience with the mentally ill patient (p < 0.001) appeared to be predictors for discrimination towards mental illness. The model significantly explained 6.6% of variance of discrimination score (F (10,829) = 6.91, p < 0.001). Conclusion The findings suggested that community discrimination towards people with mental illness are still common in the rural population. Effective strategies to combat discrimination will need to be organised and implemented at the community level. Further research on this study in different settings is suggested to understand the associated factors better.
Residence Characteristics

People with mental illness often encounter stigma and discrimination. Mental illness-related stigma and discrimination represent the enormous obstacles that stand in the way of delivering mental health care. Little is known about stigma and discrimination toward mental illness in rural Sarawak. Thus, this study aimed to identify the stigma and discrimination towards mental illness among Sarawak’s rural community and the factors affecting them. A cross-sectional survey was carried out on 840 respondent adults aged 21 and above. A validated Community Attitude towards Mental Illness (CAMI) and Discrimination towards Mental Illness questionnaire was used for data collection. A Two-way Multiple Analysis of Covariance (Two-way MANCOVA) test was carried out to determine how much gender and education level influence stigma and discrimination towards mentally ill patients. Analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference of standardised stigma and discrimination scores with education level (p<.001), but not with gender (p>.05). Age had a positive linear effect on both stigma and discrimination, whereas experience with mentally ill patients negatively affected both stigma and discrimination. Individuals with a lower level of education, older in age, and lesser experience in dealing with the mentally ill would have a higher level of stigma and discrimination towards mental illness. Thus, targeted and practical strategies need to be organised and implemented to combat mental illness-related stigma and discrimination.