“Man tror att de som lider av psykisk ohälsa är lite konstiga – men det är ju inte så” En kvalitativ studie om ungdomars uppfattning och resonemang om psykisk ohälsa.

Sammanfattning: The aim of this study was to gain increased knowledge about young people's understanding and reasoning of mental illness. Eight 18-year olds in their last year of upper secondary school were interviewed individually. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using a theoretical framework composed of Goffman's performance and stigma theory, concepts of social norms and gender roles. The study showed that young people receive limited knowledge from school and family, while social media takes a central role in exposing young people to the knowledge they seek. Mental illness exposure in social media gives people with own experiences of mental illness a platform to speak up. The respondents also show that their understanding of mental illness is connected to knowledge about diagnoses, such as depression and/or anxiety disorder. In respondents’ narratives there is a tendency to differentiate “real” from “pretend” mental illness. All respondents were also able to recognize that gender roles have an impact on mental health issues, such as masculinity norms impeding men from seeking help. Respondents are therefore aware of the consequences that come with gender roles and show signs of not agreeing with the status-quo that gender roles bring.