Mental Health Stigma: What's Been Done? Where to Go?

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s245-s245
Author(s):  
P. Macedo ◽  
M. Silva ◽  
A. Fornelos ◽  
A.R. Figueiredo ◽  
S. Nunes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Mental Health Stigma ◽  
Public Stigma ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionNegative attitudes towards psychiatric patients still exist in our society. Persons suffering from mental illness frequently encounter public stigma and may internalize it leading to self-stigma. Discrimination occurs across many aspects of economic and social existence. It may represent a barrier for patients to receive appropriate care. Many anti-stigma campaigns have been taken to decrease people's prejudice, but its effects are not well documented.ObjectivesTo characterize anti-stigma initiatives and its effects on diminishing negative consequences of stigma.MethodsBibliographical research using PubMed using the keywords “stigma” and “mental illness”.ResultsDespite several approaches to eradicate stigma, it shows a surprising consistency in population levels. It was expected that focus on education would decrease stigma levels. The same was expected following concentration on the genetic causation of pathology. Most studies have revealed that education has little value and endorsing genetic attributions has led to a greater pessimism on the efficacy of mental health services, sense of permanence and guilty feelings within the family.ConclusionPublic stigma has had a major impact on many people with mental illness, especially when leading to self-stigma, interfering with various aspects in life, including work, housing, health care, social life and self-esteem. As Goffman elucidated, stigma is fundamentally a social phenomenon rooted in social relationships and shaped by the culture and structure of society. Social inclusion has been pointed as a potential direction of change.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Social stigma in severe mental illness in Tunisia: Clinical and socio-demographic correlates

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S577-S577 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Ouali ◽  
R. Jomli ◽  
R. Nefzi ◽  
H. Ouertani ◽  
F. Nacef
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Severe Mental Illness ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Social Stigma ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionMental patients generally internalize some of the negative conceptions about how most people view them: they might be considered incompetent or untrustworthy or believe that people would not want to hire, or marry someone with mental illness. A lot of research on stigma has been conducted in western countries; however, little is still known on the situation in Arab-Muslim societies.ObjectivesTo evaluate social stigma as viewed by patients suffering from severe mental illness (SMI)MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study on clinically stabilized patients with schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder (BD) according to DSM IV, who were interviewed in our out-patients clinic with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire, containing 8 opinions on the social inclusion and stigmatization of psychiatric patients, with special reference to the local cultural context (e.g.: “It is better to hide mental illness in order to preserve the reputation of my family”)ResultsWe included 104 patients, 51% with schizophrenia and 49% with BD. Mean age was 38.4 years (18–74 years); 59.6% were males. Overall social stigma scores were high. Social stigma in patients was correlated with gender, age, place of residence and diagnosis. Patients with BD showed significantly less social stigma than patients with schizophrenia.ConclusionOur results show the need for a better understanding of this phenomenon in patients with SMI, but also within Tunisian society, in order to elaborate anti stigma strategies adapted to the local context.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Reduction of negative social attributions towards people with mental illness through a combination of treatments

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. s245-s246
Author(s):  
C. Vaquero ◽  
M. Cebollero ◽  
M.Á. Escudero ◽  
J. Saiz
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
School Students ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Social Attributions ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
And Gender

IntroductionStigma towards people with mental illness can have very negative consequences for the persons that experience it. So, it becomes strongly necessary to combat this problem.Objectives/AimsEvaluate the effectiveness of multiple interventions to reduce stigma against mental illness in a group of high school students.MethodsQuasi-experimental study. Seventy-six students between 16 to 19 years old from 3 schools of southern Madrid State participated. No significant differences in age and gender between groups were found. The quasi-control group was obtained from 3 different classrooms (1 in each school). This group did not go through any treatment. The experimental group had 2 treatments. Treatment “A” consisted in 1 psychoeducation session. Treatment “B” was 1 visit (real or virtual) to the Thyssen-Bornemisza museum. Persons exercising as museum guides had been diagnosed with mental illness. They already were participants in the PCEA program of the CRPS Latina. The instrument to assess stigma was the AQ-27, validated in Spanish.ResultsWe found significant reductions of stigma in all dimensions explored: Anger (A vs BC; P < 0.001), Threat (A vs BC; P < 0.001), Fear (A vs BC; P < 0.001), Coercion (A vs BC; P < 0.001) Segregation (A vs BC; P < 0.001) and Avoidance (A vs BC; P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe combination of treatments for intervention on stigma in samples of school students seems to be a very effective option to reduce stigma.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Knowledge and Uptake of Voting Rights By Psychiatric Inpatients in Westminster, London During the 2015 Uk General Election

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S454-S454
Author(s):  
J. Townell ◽  
T. MacLaren ◽  
L. de Ridder ◽  
S. Shanmugham ◽  
V. Argent ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Voting Rights ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
General Election ◽  
Multidisciplinary Teams ◽  
Staff Support ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
The Uk

IntroductionBeing able to vote empowers people with mental illness to have a political voice and promotes social inclusion. Evidence shows that patients with mental illness are less likely to vote compared to the general population.ObjectiveThis study explores the knowledge and uptake of the voting rights of adult patients in a psychiatric hospital in the 2015 UK general election.AimsTo understand patients’ eligibility and intentions to vote during the 2015 UK general election. To establish what assistance patients may require in order to vote.MethodsA staff-assisted survey was undertaken in all mental health wards in the Gordon Hospital, Westminster prior to the general election in May 2015.ResultsA total of 51 surveys were returned. Seventy-five percent thought they were eligible to vote, and 47% had already registered. Of those that had not yet registered, 37% wanted staff support to do so. Fifty-seven percent of the respondents intended to vote and of those 9 out of 10 intended to vote in person. Twenty-six percent of those intending to vote identified needing assistance in this process.ConclusionsThe majority of inpatients were aware of their eligibility to vote. Over half of the respondents planned to vote, which is lower than the UK average. As 1 in 4 patients intending to vote requested support, this suggests potential barriers impacting on their ability to exercise their right.Multidisciplinary teams can provide valuable assistance to patients in the voting process in many ways, including information provision, organisation of leave and providing staff escort.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Differences in attitudes towards mental illness and psychiatry among medical students, before and after the academic course of psychiatry

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. s218-s219
Author(s):  
M. Pascucci ◽  
M. La Montagna ◽  
E. Stella ◽  
A. De Angelis ◽  
P. Parente ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Perceived Discrimination ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Social Restriction ◽  
Empathy Quotient ◽  
Competing Interest

BackgroundStigma towards mental illness and psychiatry have a major impact on psychiatric patients’ quality of life; in particular, prejudicial beliefs make it more difficult for future doctors to send patients to mental health services, leading to a delay of necessary care.AimsOur aim is to evaluate the stigma towards mental illness and psychiatry, in a sample of Italian medical students. We studied the differences between the first-year students who have not attended the academic course in psychiatry, compared to the senior students who have attended the psychiatric lectures.MethodsWe tested 113 medical students, using the following questionnaires:– Attitudes Towards Psychiatry (ATP 30);– Community Attitudes Towards Mental Ill (CAMI);– Perceived Discrimination Devaluation Scale (PDD), to assess the discrimination towards mental illness perceived in society;– Baron-Cohen's Empathy Quotient (EQ), to measure empathy.ResultsAmong the 113 students, 46 have already attended the academic course of psychiatry and CAMI scores were less stigmatizing as total score (P = 0.014) and in authoritarianism subscale (P = 0.049), social restriction (P = 0.022) and ideology of mental health in the community (P = 0.017). However, there were no statistically significant differences in empathy, perceived discrimination in the society and stigmatization of psychiatry.ConclusionsThe 67 students who have not attended the academic course of psychiatry are more stigmatizing, considering psychiatric patients as inferior people that require coercive attitudes, socially dangerous and that should be treated faraway from the community. Studying psychiatry is therefore useful to reduce, in the future doctors, these prejudices toward mentally ill patients.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Mental Health Stigma in Medical Educators: The Images Study

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenna Thygesen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Mental Health Stigma ◽  
Clinically Depressed ◽  
Stigmatizing Attitudes ◽  
Medical Educators ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health Programmes

Neuropsychiatric disorders are among the leading cause of disability worldwide, accounting for 13% of the global burden of disease, and one-third of all years lost due to disability. In Canada 15% of the population report that they have been diagnosed as being clinically depressed, with at least one in five Canadians experiencing a mental illness in their lifetime. Recruitment to psychiatry within medical schools worldwide ranges from approximately 2-7%, resulting in unfilled psychiatric residencies and an inadequate number of practicing professionals to address demand for mental health services within populations. The negative socialization hypothesis attempts to explain the lack of interest as the result of anti-psychiatry statements by peers and non-psychiatric faculty members. An international questionnaire measuring the prevalence of stigmatizing attitudes towards non-psychiatric physician educators at medical centres was conducted under the auspices of the Association for the Improvement of Mental Health Programmes. Results will be discussed within the context of current theories about stigmatizing attitudes towards psychiatric patients and the field of psychiatry. Current anti-stigma programmes and the impact of culture on mental illness and stigma will also be discussed.

Differences In The Attitudes Of Clinical And Pre-clinical Medical Students To Mental Illness

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S433-S433
Author(s):  
O. Adekunte ◽  
C. Oliver ◽  
B. Owen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Elective Period ◽  
Competing Interest

BackgroundThe quality of care provided to psychiatry patients by doctors can be influenced by attitudes towards mental illness. Equally important is the attitude of medical students as future treating doctors towards mental illness. This survey compares the differences in the attitudes of pre-clinical and clinical years student to mental illness.AimsTo compare attitudes of pre-clinical and clinical medical students’ to mental illness.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of 212 clinical students (CS) and pre-clinical students (PS) at Newcastle University. Each responded anonymously to an electronic questionnaire. The responses take the form of: Yes/No, free text, order of preference, and Likert scale. Results were analysed based on basic statistical analysis.ResultsLittle differences exist between the 2 groups in their beliefs that psychiatric patients are not difficult to like, mental illness can be a result of social adversity, psychiatry patients often recover and that people with mental illness should be offered a job with responsibility. However, 54% PS disagreed that mental illness often leads to violence, compared to 66% CS and 87% of PS identified that mental illness can be genetic in origin compared with CS of 91%.ConclusionThis survey did not identify any significant difference between the attitudes of pre-clinical and clinical students in most of the domains. However, a higher percentage of clinical students associate violence with mental illness and are unwilling to consider an elective period in psychiatry.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

The Improvement of Mental Health Competences and Skills on a Brazilian Federal University

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S230-S231
Author(s):  
D. Soria ◽  
J.D. Cabrial ◽  
B.C. Marinho ◽  
N. Romeiro ◽  
A. Mendes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Financial Management ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Social Stigma ◽  
Project Work ◽  
Workshop Practice ◽  
Primary Means ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Block Organization

BackgroundThe extension project “UNIRIO is madness: the improvement of mental health competences and skills.” work since 2015 with “Ponto de Cultura Loucura Suburbana” on the promotion of mental health and culture style in Brazil. The project work on the development of psychosocial rehabilitation for psychiatric patients, their families and the community.AimsParticipate on the production and execution on the artistic/therapeutic workshop that demystify the social stigmatizing vision about psychiatric patients.MethodsThe activities developed are: administrative actions; institutional strengthening for social inclusion initiative through work; and the Carnival Block organization.ResultsThis study work on constituting a social inclusion initiative through workshop that generate employment, e.g.: sale material production, financial management, material replacement. Although we do all the preparative to the Carnival Block–“Loucura Suburbana”.ConclusionThe relationship with the psychiatric patients shows that social inclusion through carnival workshop practice is the primary means for the identity of people suffering from mental disorders and contribute to reduce community social stigma.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Understanding what it means to be socially included for people with a lived experience of mental illness

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 413-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Filia ◽  
Henry Jackson ◽  
Sue Cotton ◽  
Eoin Killackey
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Community Involvement ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Members ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Stable Housing ◽  
General Community

Aims: Social inclusion is increasingly understood to have positive and beneficial implications for the mental health outcomes of people with severe mental illness. The concept is plagued by definitional inconsistencies and a lack of consensus regarding what it means to be socially included, in particular for groups most vulnerable to social exclusion, such as people with mental illness. The aim of this study was to obtain a consensus regarding the key contributors to social inclusion from the perspective of people with and without a lived experience of mental illness (consumers of mental health services, carers, and general community members). Methods: Delphi methodology was employed to reach consensus agreement. The Delphi questionnaire was based on a previous review of the literature and consisted of 147 items categorized into 13 domains. It was presented to participants over three rounds. Participants ( N  = 104) were recruited into three groups (32 consumers, 32 carers of people with a mental illness, and 40 members of the general community – neither consumers nor carers). Retention of participants from Round 1 to Round 3 was 79.8%. Results: Similarities and differences were observed between the groups. A number of items were very strongly endorsed as key contributors to social inclusion, relating to social participation, social supports, housing, neighbourhood, community involvement, employment and education, health and well-being and service utilization. Conclusion: Findings supported previous work, indicating the importance of having a strong sense of connection with others as well as the importance of safe and stable housing, support services and personal motivation and hope. We obtained a well-rounded perspective among groups regarding the key contributors to social inclusion, with a particular relevance to people living with mental illness. This perspective has significant clinical and research utility.

Knowledge and Uptake of Voting Rights By Adults With Mental Illness Living in Supported Accommodation in Westminster (London) During the 2015 Uk General Election

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S453-S454
Author(s):  
J. Townell ◽  
T. MacLaren ◽  
V. Argent ◽  
L. de Ridder ◽  
S. Shanmugham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
General Population ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Voting Rights ◽  
General Election ◽  
Human Right ◽  
Supported Accommodation ◽  
Right To Vote ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionVoting is an essential human right. Being able to vote and participate in elections is an important component of social inclusion; empowering people with mental illness to have a political voice and in turn reducing stigma. Previous research indicates that patients with mental illness are less likely to vote compared to the general population.ObjectiveThis study explores knowledge and uptake of the voting rights of adults living in mental health supported accommodation in Westminster (London) in the 2015 UK general election.AimsUnderstand patients’ awareness of their eligibility to register and cast their vote. Identify patients’ interest in engaging in the voting process and strategies to overcome potential obstacles.MethodsA staff-assisted survey was undertaken in all mental health supported accommodation across Westminster prior to the general election in May 2015.ResultsA total of 142 surveys were returned. Nine out of 10 surveyed believed they were eligible to vote; over half wanted to exercise their right to vote & if registered, a third felt they required assistance to vote.ConclusionsThe majority of community patients were positively aware of the impending general election and their own eligibility to vote. Only half wanted to exercise their right to vote, which is lower than the general population. As a third of the patients requested assistance for voting, this shows us that there are potential barriers impacting on their ability to exercise their right to vote. Staffs have an important role in promoting patient's right to vote by providing assistance with both the registering and voting process.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Stigmatization of mental health problems in Albania, ways of diminishing it

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S573-S574
Author(s):  
T. Jupe ◽  
F. Elezi ◽  
B. Zenelaj ◽  
E. Myslimi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Statistical Processing ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Competing Interest

Background and aimMore recent definitions of stigma focus on the results of stigma – the prejudice, avoidance, rejection and discrimination directed at people believed to have an illness, disorder or other trait perceived to be undesirable.MethodsDuring this study, we used Attitudes to Mental Illness Questionnaire (AMIQ), which helped us to understand the differences in the acceptance by the population for 3 different types of diseases: addiction, diabetes and schizophrenia.Results(1) Alban has diabetes. (2) Besnik has schizophrenia.Conclusions(1) The patients with schizophrenia have higher levels of stigma compared diabetic patients or those alcoholics (Tables 1 and 2 and Fig. 1). (2) Statistical processing carried out concluded that have statistically significant differences between gender-stigma (P = 0.001), age-stigma (P = 0.0001) and education-stigma (P = 0.001) (Fig. 2). (3) Health care workers stigma is exactly the same as in general population (P = 0.01) (Fig. 2).Recommendations– Support recovery and social inclusion and reduce discrimination.– Do not label or judge people with a mental illness, treat them with respect and dignity as you would anyone else.– Do not discriminate when they come participation, housing and employment.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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