Introduction
How do stigma and discrimination affect people with mental health problems?
Nearly nine out of ten people with mental health problems say that stigma and discrimination have a negative effect on their lives.
We know that people with mental health problems are among the least likely of any group with a long-term health condition or disability to:
- find work
- be in a steady, long-term relationship
- live in decent housing
- be socially included in mainstream society
Stigma and discrimination can also make someone’s mental health problems worse and delay or stop them from getting help. Social isolation, poor housing, unemployment and poverty are all linked to mental ill health. So stigma and discrimination can trap people in a cycle of illness.
You may face more than one type of stigma: for example, you may also be stigmatised because of your race, gender, sexuality or disability. This can make life even harder.
Why are people with mental health problems discriminated against?
There are many reasons for this discrimination, including:
- stereotypes. Society can have stereotyped views about mental ill health. Some people believe people with mental health problems are dangerous when in fact, they are at a higher risk of being attacked or harming themselves than hurting other people
- the media. Media reports often link mental ill health with violence or portray people with mental health problems as dangerous, criminal, evil, or very disabled and unable to live normal, fulfilled lives
What can I do about stigma and discrimination?
Challenge stigma
Time to Change campaigned to change the way people think and act about mental health problems. The campaign has now closed, but there is still plenty of useful information on their website about challenging stigma and discrimination when you see, hear or experience it.
They have tips for talking to someone about their mental health, which can be as simple as asking someone if they’re sure if they tell you they’re feeling fine. Showing someone that there’s no shame or stigma in talking about how they feel could make a huge difference.
They also have resources for your workplace or school if you want to help others understand mental health and challenge stigma.
In Scotland, the anti-stigma organisation See Me has ideas on challenging stigma and discrimination. They also have resources and activities you could use at work.
Join our network
If you want to do more campaigning around mental health issues, you could join OPEN, our experience network. It’s an online community of people we ask to inform us what we do, through anything from quick feedback on a social media post to participating in a research project. We want to hear from people with a range of mental health experiences, whether yours is good, bad or something in between.
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