Stigma, discrimination and mental illness (original) (raw)
Related papers
Stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness: a critical appraisal
Epidemiologia e psichiatria sociale, 2008
This editorial gives an overview of the different roots and forms of discrimination and stigmatisation towards people with mental illness. It explains the differences between stereotype, prejudice and discrimination. It further highlights some research foci of stigma research in the last decade. The emphasis was mostly on investigating the attitudes of the general population, but barely addressed other groups that have probably more intensive and more crucial contact with people with mental illness. Furthermore, only very few intervention programs were evaluated. This editorial concludes that other groups than the general population, e.g., mental health professionals, should be investigated about their attitudes to people with mental illness. Moreover, intervention campaigns should be additionally evaluated after a given period as it is not well known whether effects of interventions are long-lasting. It might be that anti-stigma campaigns, as every public health campaign, must be repeated if sustainability is the goal. Furthermore, the message must be carefully chosen. One option is to replace the "traditional" messages by focussing, e.g., on symptoms of mental illness, for instance anxiety, affective symptoms or suicidal ideations. Finally, a plea for more stigma-related research is given as research in stigma-related issues is also stigmatised.
2002
People living with psychotic illness: an overview (Bulletin 1) Costs of psychosis in urban Australia (Bulletin 2) Employment and psychosis (Bulletin 3) The use of psychopharmacological and other treatments by persons with psychosis (Bulletin 4) Disability, homelessness and social relationships among people living with psychosis in Australia (Bulletin 5) Stigma and discrimination (Bulletin 6) Child and adolescent component of the survey: The mental health of young people in Australia Adolescent depression (Leaflet 1) Conduct disorders (Leaflet 2) Adolescent suicide (Leaflet 3) Attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (Leaflet 4) Dispelling stigma against those of us who experience mental illness will improve the quality of our lives and is fundamental to the mental health reform we are calling for. This report presents the nature of the problems associated with stigma and through its recommendations suggests positive strategies to genuinely impact on stigma in our society. I welcome it as a resource for real change.
Stigma: the feelings and experiences of 46 people with mental illness: Qualitative study
The British Journal of Psychiatry, 2004
Background Stigma defines people in terms of some distinguishing characteristic and devalues them as a consequence. Aims To describe the relationship of stigma with mental illness, psychiatric diagnosis, treatment and its consequences of stigma for the individual. Method Narrative interviews were conducted by trained users of the local mental health services; 46 patients were recruited from community and day mental health services in North London. Results Stigma was a pervasive concern to almost all participants. People with psychosis or drug dependence were most likely to report feelings and experiences of stigma and were most affected by them. Those with depression, anxiety and personality disorders were more affected by patronising attitudes and feelings of stigma even if they had not experienced any overt discrimination. However, experiences were not universally negative. Conclusions Stigma may influence how a psychiatric diagnosis is accepted, whether treatment will be adhered ...
A qualitative study: experiences of stigma by people with mental health problems
Psychology and Psychotherapy Theory Research and Practice, 2018
Objectives: Prior research has examined various components involved in the impact of public and internalized stigma on people with mental health problems. However, studies have not previously investigated the subjective experiences of mental health stigma by those affected in a non-statutory treatment-seeking population. Design: An in-depth qualitative study was conducted using thematic analysis to investigate the experiences of stigma in people with mental health problems. Methods: Eligible participants were recruited through a local mental health charity in the North West of England. The topic of stigma was examined using two focus groups of thirteen people with experience of mental health problems and stigma. Results: Two main themes and five subthemes were identified. Participants believed that (1) the 'hierarchy of labels' has a profound cyclical impact on several levels of society: people who experience mental health problems, their friends and family, and institutional stigma. Furthermore, participants suggested (2) ways in which they have developed psychological resilience towards mental health stigma. Conclusions: It is essential to utilize the views and experiences gained in this study to aid understanding and, therefore, develop ways to reduce the negative impact of public and internal stigma. Practitioner points: People referred to their mental health diagnosis as a label and associated that label with stigmatizing views. Promote awareness and develop improved strategies (e.g., training) to tackle the cyclical impact of the 'hierarchy of labels' on people with mental health problems, their friends and family, and institutional stigma. Ensure the implementation of clinical guidelines in providing peer support to help people to combat feeling stigmatized. Talking about mental health in psychological therapy or health care professional training helped people to take control and develop psychological resilience.
International journal of environmental research and public health, 2018
Recent reviews on the evidence base for mental health related stigma reduction show that under certain conditions interpersonal contact is effective in promoting more positive attitudes, reduced desire for social distance, and increased stigma related knowledge (knowledge which disconfirms beliefs based on stereotypes). Short-term interventions may have effects that are attenuated over time; longer term programmes may support sustained improvements, but research following up long-term interventions is scarce. However, the effectiveness of these interventions should not obscure the nature of stigma as a social problem. In this article we describe stigma as a 'wicked problem' to highlight some implications for intervening against stigma and evaluating these efforts. These include the risks of unintended consequences and the need to continually reformulate the concept of stigma, to ensure that tackling stigma at the structural, interpersonal, and intrapersonal levels become par...
PsycEXTRA Dataset
People living with psychotic illness: an overview (Bulletin 1) Costs of psychosis in urban Australia (Bulletin 2) Employment and psychosis (Bulletin 3) The use of psychopharmacological and other treatments by persons with psychosis (Bulletin 4) Disability, homelessness and social relationships among people living with psychosis in Australia (Bulletin 5) Stigma and discrimination (Bulletin 6) Child and adolescent component of the survey: The mental health of young people in Australia Adolescent depression (Leaflet 1) Conduct disorders (Leaflet 2) Adolescent suicide (Leaflet 3) Attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (Leaflet 4) Dispelling stigma against those of us who experience mental illness will improve the quality of our lives and is fundamental to the mental health reform we are calling for. This report presents the nature of the problems associated with stigma and through its recommendations suggests positive strategies to genuinely impact on stigma in our society. I welcome it as a resource for real change.
Understanding the impact of stigma on people with mental illness
World psychiatry : official journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), 2002
Table 1 Comparing and contrasting the definitions of public stigma and self-stigma Public stigma Stereotype Negative belief about a group (e.g., dangerousness, incompetence, character weakness) Prejudice Agreement with belief and/or negative emotional reaction (e.g., anger, fear) Discrimination Behavior response to prejudice (e.g., avoidance, withhold employment and housing opportunities, withhold help) Self-stigma Stereotype Negative belief about the self (e.g., character weakness, incompetence) Prejudice Agreement with belief, negative emotional reaction (e.g., low self-esteem, low self-efficacy)