Social stigma is an underestimated contributing factor to unemployment in people with mental illness or mental health issues: position paper and future directions

AimsTo survey the effect of COVID-19 on mental health of both medical professionals and the general population, as well as attitudes surrounding the disclosure of mental illness.MethodAn online survey comprised of two questionnaires, one for medical professionals and one for the general population, were conducted via social media. Both questionnaires asked respondents of the effect of COVID-19 on their mental health, and the former asked respondents about the effect of COVID-19 on their patient group's mental health. The questionnaires went on to ask respondents about their attitudes to mental health disclosure in various scenarios, to varying groups of people. The general population group was also asked how they would react if someone else disclosed their mental illness to them.ResultThe questionnaire for the medical professionals gained 62 respondents and the one for the general population had 122 respondents, with responses from multiple nations. Overall, COVID-19 has affected everyone's mental health to a degree, and all groups had reservations about disclosing their mental health issues to others. The medical professionals were especially reluctant to disclose mental illness to their patients, but were more comfortable when it came to disclosing mental illness to colleagues. The general population, however, was much more reluctant to disclose mental health issues to their colleagues. The general population were, on the whole, willing to listen to and help anyone who came to them with mental health concerns. Both groups surveyed showed reluctance toward disclosure to the wider community.ConclusionCOVID-19 appears to significantly affect not only physical health, but mental health as well. There is at least some degree of stigma surrounding the disclosure of mental health issues. While most would be happy to help anyone who came to them with their mental health problems, there seems to be an attitude shift when people must contend with mental health issues of their own.

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“Maybe No One Is Really Crazy, but Everyone Is Just a Little Bit Mad”: Framing Experiences of Living with Madness in the TED Talk

Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health ◽

10.7870/cjcmh-2021-012 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-18

Author(s):

Victoria Morris ◽

Hannah S. Scott

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Qualitative Research ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Research Methods ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Health Issues ◽

Level Of Functioning ◽

Mental Health Issues ◽

Media Platform ◽

Ted Talks

This article explores the victimizing experiences of individuals with mental illness using grounded inductive qualitative research methods, by extracting themes from 15 first-hand accounts of living with mental illness delivered on the TED Talks media platform. Emergent themes included (1) victimizing effects of the illness including the effects of medication and the effects of stigma, (2) normalcy, (3) the importance of help-seeking in the process of overcoming obstacles presented by mental health issues, and (4) victimization by others. We conclude that the speakers in our sample, even though they reflect an extraordinary level of functioning, still view themselves as what Becker (1991 [1963]) describes as outsiders, acting as moral entrepreneurs, crusading to normalize madness through a variety of strategies.

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On the Intersection of Faith Background and Mental Health Beliefs: What MSW Students Learned About Themselves

Social Work & Christianity ◽

10.34043/swc.v48i3.242 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 48 (3) ◽

pp. 308-322

Author(s):

Jennifer Payne

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Content Analysis ◽

Health Beliefs ◽

Qualitative Content Analysis ◽

Health Issues ◽

Childhood Experience ◽

Demonic Possession ◽

Mental Health Issues ◽

Msw Students

Students enter college with pre-formed beliefs about the causes of mental health issues, from spiritual explanations (e.g., demonic possession) to biological explanations (e.g., genetics). However, they rarely have thought through how their faith backgrounds influence their beliefs about mental health. MSW students in their clinical concentration year engaged in a class-based assignment in which they explored the question, "Where are you on the spectrum of belief regarding the cause of mental illness?" A qualitative content analysis was completed on 69 student papers collected over five years. Results showed how each student's religious childhood experience shaped his or her view about mental illness causes.

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Individual Funding for People With Mental Health Issues

Mental Health Policy, Practice, and Service Accessibility in Contemporary Society - Advances in Human Services and Public Health ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-7402-6.ch006 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 93-106

Author(s):

Christina David ◽

Carmel Laragy ◽

Elizabeth Hudson

Keyword(s):

Mental Illness ◽

International Studies ◽

Health Issues ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Permanent Disability ◽

Mental Health Issues ◽

People With Mental Illness ◽

Funding Programs ◽

Key Features ◽

Individual Funding

This chapter outlines the key features of individual funding programs and examines their suitability for people with mental illness. This is a contested area with some writers concerned that mental illness is different from other types of disability and unsuitable for individual funding. The recovery model and the episodic nature of mental illness are seen as conflicting with individual funding eligibility criteria for consistent and permanent disability. The counter view is that flexible individual funding is ideally suited to meeting the fluctuating needs of people with mental illness: its key principles of empowerment and self-direction being consistent with the recovery paradigm. Evidence from Australian and international studies is reviewed, suggesting that successful outcomes can be achieved if the necessary supports and resources are available to meet people's needs.

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Individual Funding for People With Mental Health Issues

Research Anthology on Mental Health Stigma, Education, and Treatment ◽

10.4018/978-1-7998-8544-3.ch031 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 519-532

Author(s):

Christina David ◽

Carmel Laragy ◽

Elizabeth Hudson

Keyword(s):

Mental Illness ◽

International Studies ◽

Health Issues ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Permanent Disability ◽

Mental Health Issues ◽

People With Mental Illness ◽

Funding Programs ◽

Key Features ◽

Individual Funding

This chapter outlines the key features of individual funding programs and examines their suitability for people with mental illness. This is a contested area with some writers concerned that mental illness is different from other types of disability and unsuitable for individual funding. The recovery model and the episodic nature of mental illness are seen as conflicting with individual funding eligibility criteria for consistent and permanent disability. The counter view is that flexible individual funding is ideally suited to meeting the fluctuating needs of people with mental illness: its key principles of empowerment and self-direction being consistent with the recovery paradigm. Evidence from Australian and international studies is reviewed, suggesting that successful outcomes can be achieved if the necessary supports and resources are available to meet people's needs.

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Psychiatry and the media

Advances in Psychiatric Treatment ◽

10.1192/apt.9.2.135 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 135-143 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Peter Byrne

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

New Media ◽

Media Studies ◽

Public Mental Health ◽

Health Issues ◽

Psychological Theories ◽

Mental Health Issues ◽

People With Mental Illness ◽

The Media ◽

Medical Specialities

Aspects of print, broadcast, film and ‘new media’ are related to their interactions with psychiatry. Frequent representations of mental health issues are paralleled by the adoption of psychological theories into media studies. Key areas are covered where psychiatric items diverge from other medical specialities, such as the depiction of suicide, the dominance of ‘human interest’ stories and negative representation of people with mental illness. Although the language of mental disorders is important, the power of the image needs to be examined. Media items also have implications for public mental health (children as vulnerable viewers) and the clinical practice of psychiatry that are not uniformly negative. Television has limitations and clinicians are encouraged to participate in radio and other media. Resources and practical advice for media contact are provided.

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Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak Quarantine, Isolation, and Lockdown Policies on Mental Health and Suicide

Frontiers in Psychiatry ◽

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.565190 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Balasankar Ganesan ◽

Adel Al-Jumaily ◽

Kenneth N. K. Fong ◽

Palak Prasad ◽

Surendra Kumar Meena ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Stigma ◽

Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome ◽

The Novel ◽

Health Issues ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Issues ◽

Huge Impact ◽

Coronavirus Infection ◽

Novel Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has made a huge impact on people's physical and mental health, and it remains a cause of death for many all over the world. To prevent the spread of coronavirus infection, different types of public health measures (social isolation, quarantine, lockdowns, and curfews) have been imposed by governments. However, mental health experts warn that the prolonged lockdown, quarantine, or isolation will create a “second pandemic” with severe mental health issues and suicides. The quarantined or isolated people may suffer from various issues such as physical inactivity, mental health, economic and social problems. As with the SARS outbreak in 2003, many suicide cases have been reported in connection with this current COVID-19 pandemic lockdown due to various factors such as social stigma, alcohol withdrawal syndrome, fear of COVID infection, loneliness, and other mental health issues. This paper provides an overview of risk factors that can cause suicide and outlines possible solutions to prevent suicide in this current COVID-19 pandemic.

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Using the media during Mental Health Week

Psychiatric Bulletin ◽

10.1192/pb.21.7.451 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 21 (7) ◽

pp. 451-453 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rob Kay ◽

Barbara Martin ◽

Doreen Kelly ◽

Cameron Stark

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Mass Media ◽

Adult Population ◽

Public Information ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Health Issues ◽

Mental Health Issues ◽

The Media ◽

Quota Sampling

The mass media is an important source of public information on mental health issues. A two-page insert in 11 local Ayrshire newspapers was purchased to coincide with the Mental Health Weeks in 1994 and 1995. Using a quota sampling technique, 379 adults were questioned on their views and recollection of the insert in 1994, and a further 365 in 1995. It had been seen by 27% of 1994 respondents, and by 22% in 1995. Of these, 80% in each sample had read at least part. Local details were best remembered, and information on the nature of mental illness was regarded as the most helpful part of the insert. The newspaper articles provided a way of contacting a substantial proportion of the adult population of the area.

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Amicus cum Laude: Ethnodramatic Inquiry Regarding Sharing Mental Health in College

Qualitative Health Research ◽

10.1177/1049732320945983 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (14) ◽

pp. 2173-2191

Author(s):

Robert D. Hall

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Data Sets ◽

Health Issues ◽

Related Information ◽

Mental Health Issues ◽

Health Related ◽

One Act

In this manuscript, I utilize an ethnodramatic methodology in reanalyzing two data sets about college friends disclosing and receiving mental health-related information. After describing ethnodrama and how this methodology applies to mental health–related inquiry, I detail my process of creating an ethnodrama from two extant data sets. The result is an ethnodrama called Amicus cum Laude: Becoming a Friend with Honor for Mental Illness, a one-act play about how friends discuss mental health issues with one another. After providing the ethnodrama, I offer recommendations for taking the ethnodrama from page to stage while reflecting on and critiquing the final product.

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Telepsychiatry -another window to escape from poverty (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.24626 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Tanjir Rashid Soron ◽

Lamia Shams

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Mental Health Care ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Social Stigma ◽

Mental Healthcare ◽

Health Issues ◽

Socioeconomic Condition ◽

Mental Health Issues ◽

Resource Limited

UNSTRUCTURED People living in poverty are in greater risk of developing mental health issues due to its association with various stressors such as decreased productivity, loss of employment, reduced social support, stigma etc. Low socioeconomic status can hinder one’s access to mental health care and can lead him to devastating consequences. Even though Bangladesh has made a significant progress in eradicating poverty, the recent pandemic of COVID-19 has overburdened its resource limited healthcare settings. However, during lockdown a large number of people are experiencing a deterioration in their socioeconomic condition and this can negatively impact their mental health. Like many other developing countries, Bangladesh do not have equitable distribution of mental healthcare facilities in urban and rural areas. Distance to mental health care canter along with social stigma discourage people to get professional help. The psychological sufferings of the people can be mitigated by ensuring remote consultation through telepsychiatry services where the patients can maintain anonymity and escape the social stigma. Moreover, with the recent progress in using mobile phone and related technologies, telepsychiatry services will not only help the patients to reduce their access to service gap in an affordable way but also the mental health professionals will be able to help more patients. Telepsychiatry interventions can contribute to early diagnosis of mental health issues in population and this can reduce the chances of suicide and other morbidities. In resource limited settings, mental healthcare services aided with technology can overcome the barriers to access to care. In an addition to that, the mental well-being of individuals will enable them to lead an economically productive life with active contribution at workplaces.

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