AbstractBackground: In most societies mental illness carries a substantial stigma, or mark of shame. The mentally ill are often blamed for bringing on their own illnesses, and others may see them as victims of bad fate, religious and moral transgression, or witchcraft. Many mentally ill people are the victims of stigma which leads to additional suffering and humiliation. Estimated 400 million people suffer from mental or neurological disorders or from psychosocial problems such as those related to alcohol and drug abuse. Many of them suffer silently. So, the researcher wished to assess the knowledge regarding psychiatric illness among general population.
Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge regarding psychiatric illness among general population in selected areas of Shimla.
Methodology: A non -experimental research approach was used in the study under that descriptive survey research design was used.
Sample and Sampling technique: The sample consists of 100 people from general population in Boileuganj Shimla and convenient Sampling technique was used to collect the sample.
Setting: The study was conducted in selected areas of Boileuganj Shimla among the general population.
Tools: The socio- demographic Performa and Self structured questionnaires were used to collect the data from the samples.
Results: The results of the study revealed that (1%) people in the general population were having good knowledge regarding psychiatric illness, (25%) people were having average knowledge and (74%) were having poor knowledge. The conclusion from the results was made that people in the general population were having poor knowledge regarding psychiatric illness.
