A stigma is defined as a mark of disgrace associated by a particular circumstance. Many people can be affected by the stigma associated with mental health.
Being told you have a mental illness often comes at a difficult time, after a struggle with symptoms and the problems they cause. Giving symptoms a name (like depression or psychosis) can be reassuring and bring some hope that something can be done. But there is another label, ‘mentally ill’; this can carry different meanings for people, not all positive.
This could be one reason that as many as two-thirds of people who have mental illness don’t seek treatment. There remains much ignorance about mental illness, often encouraged by stereotyping in parts of the media. This encourages some people’s prejudiced attitudes and discriminating behaviours. It can even find its way into institutions and laws, for instance in some parts of the world people with mental illness lack the right to vote. This stigma can make having a mental illness feel very isolating. It’s easy to view the world as making a judgement about you and even for you to begin to agree with it; adding to the social anxiety of dealing with everyday living and lowering your self-esteem. However many people with mental health problems are now successfully coming together to challenge stigma.
Discussing Your Mental Health
Deciding whether you can share what is going on for you, and if so with whom, is a big dilemma. Experiencing the symptoms of a serious mental health problem is difficult and confusing enough, but there is also the realisation that your experience of life is different from those around you.
It’s natural to feel anxious about whether those around you can understand what is going on and how they will react. But there is evidence that the stress of keeping the problem a secret can contribute to things getting worse.
There is no doubt that choosing who to tell and when is a delicate matter. Even telling a doctor or nurse can be stressful, because of anxiety about how they might react. Groups like MIND and Rethink are promoting the empowerment of people with mental health problems.
Sometimes it can be easier to tell someone who has been through the experience first; this not only lets you unburden yourself, but the person can probably give you good advice from personal experience about who else to tell and how.
Many people can find it useful to start getting involved in the user movement themselves. Realising that you’re not the only person to have these experiences and that you also have something to contribute can be very empowering. It’s important to use this empowerment to make sure that your mental health problem isn’t the main thing that defines you to yourself and others. Working to keep other things in your life that have real meaning to you is important.
The Effect on Family and Friends
You may have managed to tell your family in a controlled way; or they may have witnessed first-hand some of the distress and difficulties you have experienced. Relatives and close friends will often be affected in some way by the mental health problems of someone close to them.
Some of the dilemmas they face will reflect your own. In some ways they may have less control of the issue than you. In considering who they can go and talk to for support they have to take into account both yours and their own privacy. There is a delicate balance to be struck, it’s important to allow them the space to find their own way through and make their own sense of it. At the same time you’re probably both going to deal with the problems better if you try to be a team.
It can be helpful for relatives to speak to families of other people with mental health problems. But it can be very useful if they’re in contact with the professionals who are working with you.
Employment and Mental Health Stigma
One area where discriminating behaviours are being challenged is in employment rights for people with mental health problems. Amongst people with long term disabilities unemployment is highest in those with serious mental health problems; yet they also have the highest rates of wanting to work. Discriminatory behaviours by employers still happen, but research has shown it’s beginning to decline. There are now more employers willing to take on people who have had mental health problems and who have insight into how to support them. Sometimes it can be helpful to use the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 if you want to tell a potential employer about the issue, in fact not telling can give an employer grounds for dismissal. Try to seek legal advice if you’re concerned before discussing the issue with a potential or current employer.
Physical Health and Wellbeing
Mental and physical health problems seem to go hand in hand. People with serious long-term mental health problems are at greater risk of diabetes and a number of other conditions and do seem to be at risk of having a shorter lifespan . There are a number of reasons for this including social, psychological and physical factors. One problem that can arise is known as ‘diagnostic overshadowing’. This occurs when a person’s physical symptoms are attributed to their mental illness.
Part of living with and recovering from mental health problems may mean not only looking after yourself, but also ensuring that you’re properly looked after. Sometimes it can be helpful to have an advocate to speak up for you if think your healthcare needs aren’t being met.
Research on Mental Health Stigma
Research into the stigma that some people with mental health problems face has really taken off in the last ten years. At the forefront of this in the UK is team at the Institute of Psychiatry’s Department of Health Service and Population Research. Their progress can be followed at their SAPPHIRE. They have been involved in showing how effective campaigns like ‘time-to-change’ are.
Article taken in part from www.bbc.co.ukwritten by James Tighe and Graham Thornicroft
Disclaimer
All content on this website is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Always consult your own GP if you’re in any way concerned about your health.
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