Exploring Depression: Community Perceptions and Social Influences in Southeast, Nigeria

Despite increasing global awareness of mental health issues, understanding the perception and influences of depression remains limited within specific cultural contexts such as Southeast Nigeria. This study investigates how residents define and perceive depression, exploring socio-cultural, demographic, and religious factors that shape these perceptions. In-depth interviews were conducted with twenty participants (10 males and 10 females) from Anaocha and Idemili South Local Government Areas in Anambra State. Thematic analysis revealed that depression is perceived as a profound emotional and psychological burden, characterized by sadness, hopelessness, and isolation. Influential socio-cultural factors included beliefs in supernatural forces, traditional healing practices, gender norms, educational levels, and religious/spiritual practices. Stigma emerged as a significant barrier to help-seeking, with cultural expectations of resilience and reliance on religious coping mechanisms complicating the mental health landscape. The study proposes resilience-based interventions to enhance help-seeking behavior and support individuals with internalized stigma. These interventions by professional service providers such as social workers will increase mental health literacy, reduce stigma, and promote community resilience. Future research could also prioritize comparative studies across different regions to examine regional variations in depression perceptions and inform tailored interventions in social service delivery that effectively address local socio-cultural contexts, thereby advancing social research.