scholarly journals Tensions and Paradoxes of Stigma: Discussing Stigma in Mental Health Rehabilitation

Author(s):  
Jenny Paananen ◽  
Camilla Lindholm ◽  
Melisa Stevanovic ◽  
Elina Weiste

Mental illness remains as one of the most stigmatizing conditions in contemporary western societies. This study sheds light on how mental health professionals and rehabilitants perceive stigmatization. The qualitative study is based on stimulated focus group interviews conducted in five Finnish mental health rehabilitation centers that follow the Clubhouse model. The findings were analyzed through inductive content analysis. Both the mental health rehabilitants and the professionals perceived stigmatization as a phenomenon that concerns the majority of rehabilitants. However, whereas the professionals viewed stigma as something that is inflicted upon the mentally ill from the outside, the rehabilitants perceived stigma as something that the mentally ill themselves can influence by advancing their own confidence, shame management, and recovery. Improvements in treatment, along with media coverage, were seen as the factors that reduce stigmatization, but the same conceptualization did not hold for serious mental illnesses. As the average Clubhouse client was thought to be a person with serious mental illness, the rehabilitation context designed to normalize attitudes toward mental health problems was paradoxically perceived to enforce the concept of inevitable stigma. Therefore, it is important for professionals in rehabilitation communities to be reflexively aware of these tensions when supporting the rehabilitants.

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Rajni Suri ◽  
Anshu Suri ◽  
Neelam Kumari ◽  
Amool R. Singh ◽  
Manisha Kiran

The role of women is very crucial in our society. She cares for her parents, partner, children and other relatives. She performs all types of duties in family and also in the society without any expectations. Because of playing many roles, women often face many challenges in their life including both physical and mental. Mental health problems affect women and men equally, but some problems are more common among women including both physical and mental health problems. Aim of the study - The present study is aimed to describe and compare the clinical and socio-demographic correlates of female mentally ill patients. Methods and Materials: The study includes 180 female mentally ill patients based on cross sectional design and the sample for the study was drawn purposively. A semi structured socio-demographic data sheet was prepared to collect relevant information as per the need of the study. Result: The present study reveals that the socio-demographic factors contribute a vital role in mental illness. Findings also showed that majority of patients had mental problems in the age range of 20-30 have high rate. Illiterate and primary level of education and daily wage working women as well as low and middle socio-economic status women are more prone to have mental illness. Other factors like marital status, type of family and religion etc also important factors for mental illness. Keywords: Socio demographic profile, female, psychiatric patient


2004 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 451-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. F. Chung ◽  
M. C. Wong

Aims and MethodThe study was intended to rectify the lack of data on how Chinese people experience the stigma of mental illness. A questionnaire on perceived stigmatisation, experiences of rejection and ways of coping with stigma was completed by 193 persons attending a psychiatric out-patient clinic in Hong Kong.ResultsMost of the participants were aware of the stigma associated with mental illness, but experiences of rejection were relatively less frequent. Eleven per cent of the respondents indicated that they were neglected by health care professionals and 8% had been avoided by family members. The most frequently reported coping method was maintaining secrecy about the illness.Clinical ImplicationsIn China, people with mental health problems experience stigma in various degrees. However, some of the people surveyed expressed feelings of relief that others were supportive and sympathetic towards their illness. Mental health professionals should maintain optimism in helping their patients to cope with the stigma.


2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 200-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Galloway ◽  
Billy Boland ◽  
Gareth Williams

SummaryPoverty is strongly associated with mental illness. Access to state benefits can be a lifeline for people with mental health problems in times of hardship and can assist them on their journey of recovery. However, benefit application processes can discriminate against those with mental illness and can result in individuals unjustly missing out on support. Clinical evidence from mental health professionals can ameliorate these challenges and ensure that people get access to financial help.Declaration of interestDr Billy Boland is on the advisory board of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute.


2002 ◽  
Vol 65 (12) ◽  
pp. 551-558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances Heather

This is the first part of a two-part article describing a clinical therapeutic intervention planned and organised by a senior occupational therapist and mental health nursing staff for clients with diagnoses of severe and enduring mental health problems. The six participants had a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder or bipolar illness. Four were receiving the atypical antipsychotic medication, Clozapine. One was receiving Olanzapine, also atypical, and the last was receiving traditional antipsychotic medication. These clients were all receiving long-term support from the mental health rehabilitation unit. Participation was voluntary and each client gave written consent to participation and publication later. The aims and objectives of the initial group, the selection criteria and the content and process of the group over a period of 6 weeks are described. The subsequent group, also held for 6 weeks, will be described in part 2, together with a brief overview of the further groups that have taken place since. The evaluation methods of the first group were the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) together with verbal and written evaluation. The BAI and the STAI were not repeated in the second group and the rationale for this is explained. The perceived benefits to clients are illustrated with two brief case vignettes. The benefits to other clients are also mentioned, together with the perceived drawbacks. The article concludes with the plans for the second group.


2003 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances Heather

This is the second part of a two-part article describing a clinical therapeutic intervention, planned and organised by a senior occupational therapist and mental health nursing staff for clients with severe and enduring mental health problems living in the community. The six participants had a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder or bipolar illness. Four were receiving the atypical antipsychotic medication, Clozapine. One was receiving Olanzapine, also atypical, and the last was receiving traditional antipsychotic medication, a phenothiazine. These clients were all receiving long-term support from the mental health rehabilitation unit. Participation was voluntary and each client gave written consent to participate and for the findings to be published later. Part 1 described the aims and objectives of the initial group, the selection criteria, and the content and process of the group over a period of 6 weeks. Part 2 describes a subsequent group held with the same clients for another 6 weeks. The outcome measures used in part 1 were the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) (Beck and Steer 1993) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) (Speilberger 1983) together with verbal and written evaluation. In the second group, it was decided not to repeat the use of the BAI and STAI; instead, a more detailed qualitative questionnaire was issued. The reasons for this are explained. Part 2 goes on to describe the progress of the subsequent group and gives a brief overview of what has happened in further groups since. Client evaluations are illustrated by two case vignettes. The benefits to the other clients are highlighted, together with the possible drawbacks. There is discussion about the possible potential for such groups in the future.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 803-808
Author(s):  
Prakasha Amin ◽  
Mohan A.K

BACKGROUND In many rural communities, the cause of mental illness is attributed to black magic, spirit possession of past sin and the coastal region of Karnataka is not exempted from it. The natives of this region ascribe the cause of mental illness to the spirit or demigod, and they seek the help of traditional healers such as spirit dancers for the recovery. This help-seeking behaviour of the people results in delay in seeking psychiatry care and affects the recovery of the person with mental health problems. Therefore, this study explores the opinion of clients undergone traditional healing for mental health problems and the results of the study could contribute to planning an appropriate health promotion activity to promote community mental health. METHODS The present study was explorative, undertaken in the Udupi district of Karnataka state, which explores the views of the respondents about the cause of mental health problem and the outcome of traditional healing for their problems. Altogether 200 clients visiting traditional healers for mental health care were interviewed based on the snowball sampling technique and the interview schedule was used as a tool to gather the data. RESULTS Of the 200 respondents interviewed, 27.5 percent were adults (31 to 40 years), while 43.1 percent were unemployed. Black magic was found to be the major cause for mental health problems among 25.5 percent of the respondents; whereas, 26 percent of the respondents felt recovered completely after undergoing traditional healing for mental health problems. CONCLUSIONS The recognition of mental health problems is very much essential for people with mental health problems to seek professional help. This could help mental health professionals to diagnose illness at the very beginning and provide better mental health care. However, the explanatory model of the patients needs to be taken into consideration while providing modern medical care. KEY WORDS Black Magic, Mental Illness, Serpent Worship, Spirt Dancer, Traditional Healers


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Dalton-Locke ◽  
Louise Marston ◽  
Peter McPherson ◽  
Helen Killaspy

Introduction: Mental health rehabilitation services provide essential support to people with complex and longer term mental health problems. They include inpatient services and community teams providing clinical input to people living in supported accommodation services. This systematic review included international studies evaluating the effectiveness of inpatient and community rehabilitation services.Methods: We searched six online databases for quantitative studies evaluating mental health rehabilitation services that reported on one or both of two outcomes: move-on to a more independent setting (i.e. discharge from an inpatient unit to the community or from a higher to lower level of supported accommodation); inpatient service use. The search was further expanded by screening references and citations of included studies. Heterogeneity between studies was too great to allow meta-analysis and therefore a narrative synthesis was carried out.Results: We included a total of 65 studies, grouped as: contemporary mental health rehabilitation services (n = 34); services for homeless people with severe mental health problems (n = 13); deinstitutionalization programmes (n = 18). The strongest evidence was for services for homeless people. Access to inpatient rehabilitation services was associated with a reduction in acute inpatient service use post discharge. Fewer than one half of people moved on from higher to lower levels of supported accommodation within expected timeframes.Conclusions: Inpatient and community rehabilitation services may reduce the need for inpatient service use over the long term but more high quality research of contemporary rehabilitation services with comparison groups is required.Review registration: This review was prospectively registered on PROSPERO (ID: CRD42019133579).


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphane AMADEO ◽  
Imane BENRADIA ◽  
Germaine DAVID ◽  
Moerani REREAO ◽  
Annie TUHEIAVA ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose: Better know social representations and socio-cultural aspects of mental illness (FP) is critical to reduce stigma and improve care and prevention of psychiatric illness. Methods: The Mental Health in General Population Survey (MHGP) was carried out in French Polynesia (FP) in 2015 and 2017, with questionnaires on social representations of the "insane", the "mentally ill", the "depressive" and the various types of help and care. The representative sample of 968 people was built using the quota method. The data were collected in public spaces, anonymously. Results: The origin of mental health problems is considered mainly as physical, organic or hereditary. Addictive behaviours are the cause of mental illness for 1/4 of respondents. According to the Polynesian population, the “insane” or the “mentally ill” are perceived as excluded, irresponsible, unaware of their conditions and difficult to cure. Depressed people are seen as responsible for their actions, aware of their conditions and who can be treated. Conclusion: The results of this survey show stigmatizing representations of the “insane” and the mentally ill” and significant use of traditional care. They have been incorporated into the mental health plan for FP to improve the care and promotion of mental health.


Author(s):  
Jacqueline Leckie

This article builds upon the fragmentary historical evidence of mental illness and mental health within South Pacific societies to explore the nexus with migration and mobility. The focus is on the Pacific territories that were under Aotearoa New Zealand’s jurisdiction. The article explores concepts of mental health and mobility within Pacific societies that became entangled with European concepts to designate insanity. The paper then discusses how mental illnesses were exacerbated or induced through migration and travel across the Pacific. The last section explores the transfer of mentally ill patients from some Pacific islands to Aotearoa. This article is based upon the 2018 J. D. Stout Lecture at Victoria University of Wellington.


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