LONDON, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- A landmark global study to help break the stigma surrounding mental illness in four countries has won a 2.6-million- U.S.-dollar grant from Britain's Medical Research Council (MRC), it was announced Tuesday.

Led by Professor Sir Graham Thornicroft from King's College London, the study will address why stigma occurs and how to combat it in economically developing countries.

The study was announced as the first ever Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit in London.

Thornicroft, who is professor of community psychiatry at King's College London, said: "Across the globe, the stigma that surrounds mental health illness poses a colossal challenge and hits some of the most vulnerable people in our society the hardest."

The study will involve Peking University Health Science Center and Guangzhou Medical University in China, as well as universities in Ethiopia, Germany, Tunisia, India and George Washington University in the United States, along with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva and King's College London.

The MRC said the study, to be carried out by the Indigo Partnership, will be one of the largest studies of its kind and will develop and test new methods to reduce stigma in China, Ethiopia, India and Tunisia.

The MRC said in London: "According to the World Health Organization, 80 percent of the people likely to experience an episode of a mental disorder in their lifetime come from low- and middle-income countries.

"Two of the most common forms of mental health illness, anxiety and depression, are widespread and disabling, but respond well to a range of treatments. However, due to the stigma that surrounds mental health problems and gaps in funding, these disorders often go virtually untreated. Only around 5 percent of people with mental health problems receive any treatment in some economically developing countries."

In India, suicide is the leading cause of death among women aged 15 to 49 while depression is now the leading cause of disability worldwide and contributes significantly to the global burden of disease.

The Indigo Partnership, led by Thornicroft from King's College London, will address why stigma occurs and how to combat it in economically developing countries.

The research program will roll out three pilot projects to test specific methods intended to reduce mental health related stigma.

Dr Jo Latimer, the MRC's head of neuroscience and mental health, said: "Tackling mental health problems on a global level is an important part of MRC research strategy. By looking at how to reduce the stigma and tailoring strategies to make them work in different cultures, this study will make a difference to individuals and our global communities."