This article looks at the personal experience of the stigma of mental health in a sample of people with mental health problems. Seventy-five people took part in the study which was carried out by North West Wales NHS Trust. Results show that stigma and the fear of negative reactions form others because of mental health problems are prevalent. A lower proportion of discrimination was reported compared to the experience of stigma. Future research will need to examine strategies found to be helpful in coping with stigma.
This article looks at the personal experience of the stigma of mental health in a sample of people with mental health problems. Seventy-five people took part in the study which was carried out by North West Wales NHS Trust. Results show that stigma and the fear of negative reactions form others because of mental health problems are prevalent. A lower proportion of discrimination was reported compared to the experience of stigma. Future research will need to examine strategies found to be helpful in coping with stigma.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, service users, stereotyped attitudes, discrimination;
The findings from the latest Care Quality Commission's 'Count Me In' survey shows that efforts to reduce the number of people from ethnic minorities in the mental health system are failing. The first author reviews the findings, while the second two authors debate the way forward.
The findings from the latest Care Quality Commission's 'Count Me In' survey shows that efforts to reduce the number of people from ethnic minorities in the mental health system are failing. The first author reviews the findings, while the second two authors debate the way forward.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, mental health services, racial equality, black and minority ethnic people, discrimination;
This report looks at mental health and well-being of LGBT people and investigates the specific experiences of LGBT people when accessing healthcare services. It is based on the findings of a YouGov survey of over 5,000 lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) people across England, Scotland and Wales, which asked about their life in Britain today. It looks at the rates of depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions among LGBT people and levels of substance misuse. It also looks at the accessibility of healthcare services and discrimination LGBT people face when seeking medical support. The study identifies high levels of poor mental health among LGBT people compared to the general population and high level of hostility and unfair treatment faced by many LGBT people when accessing healthcare services. In addition, a quarter of LGBT people surveyed also faced a lack of understanding of their specific health needs; a figure that rises to 62 per cent for trans patients. It makes recommendations for better training for all health and social care staff, with specific guidance on how to meet the needs of LGBT patients. It also recommends that NHS England should make mental health a key priority for the new National LGBT Health Adviser.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report looks at mental health and well-being of LGBT people and investigates the specific experiences of LGBT people when accessing healthcare services. It is based on the findings of a YouGov survey of over 5,000 lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) people across England, Scotland and Wales, which asked about their life in Britain today. It looks at the rates of depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions among LGBT people and levels of substance misuse. It also looks at the accessibility of healthcare services and discrimination LGBT people face when seeking medical support. The study identifies high levels of poor mental health among LGBT people compared to the general population and high level of hostility and unfair treatment faced by many LGBT people when accessing healthcare services. In addition, a quarter of LGBT people surveyed also faced a lack of understanding of their specific health needs; a figure that rises to 62 per cent for trans patients. It makes recommendations for better training for all health and social care staff, with specific guidance on how to meet the needs of LGBT patients. It also recommends that NHS England should make mental health a key priority for the new National LGBT Health Adviser.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
LGBT people, health care, mental health problems, substance misuse, access to services, discrimination, surveys;
A Life in the Day, 12(1), February 2008, pp.29-32.
Publisher:
Emerald
Open Up is Mental Health Media's anti-discrimination project run by and for mental health service users. It operates in nine geographical regions in England and Wales. Each region has a part-time coordinator whose role is to network with groups and individuals, set up training courses, and support people who want to take forward action to challenge discrimination. The authors outline the development of the project, and describe how the training has been used at a local level to campaign against cuts.
Open Up is Mental Health Media's anti-discrimination project run by and for mental health service users. It operates in nine geographical regions in England and Wales. Each region has a part-time coordinator whose role is to network with groups and individuals, set up training courses, and support people who want to take forward action to challenge discrimination. The authors outline the development of the project, and describe how the training has been used at a local level to campaign against cuts.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, public relations, service users, training, disability discrimination, discrimination;
Disability and Society, 26(1), January 2011, pp.19-32.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
In the UK ‘Fitness to Practice’ has been used as a key screening criteria by regulatory bodies for entry into professions such as teaching, nursing and social work. Disclosure of disability is therefore a risky process for those aiming to practice or train in these professions. The research reported here was commissioned to inform the Disability Rights Commission’s Formal Investigation into fitness standards in the professions. In 2006-07 thirty eight practitioners and 22 students throughout England, Scotland and Wales, from the nursing, teaching and social work professions participated in semi-structured interviews to explore their experiences of disability disclosure. Of the participants, 47 were women. They had a range of disabilities, most of which were hidden; 30, including 17 students, had been disabled at entry to the profession, 28 had been disabled at a later stage and 2 were recently disabled. Participants from all three professional groups considered that disclosure of disability was likely to have the effect of excluding them from a professional training programme or post. Disclosing mental health needs was considered particularly likely to have this effect. However, most participants had disclosed their disabilities to some extent. Twenty three practitioners and 17 students reported receiving adjustments or accommodations following disclosure. Change in attitudes among colleagues was another key outcome. Participants varied in their knowledge and understanding of the fitness standards for their profession. The study concluded that abolishing health standards for the professions would increase disability disclosure and decrease the stigma associated with disability.
In the UK ‘Fitness to Practice’ has been used as a key screening criteria by regulatory bodies for entry into professions such as teaching, nursing and social work. Disclosure of disability is therefore a risky process for those aiming to practice or train in these professions. The research reported here was commissioned to inform the Disability Rights Commission’s Formal Investigation into fitness standards in the professions. In 2006-07 thirty eight practitioners and 22 students throughout England, Scotland and Wales, from the nursing, teaching and social work professions participated in semi-structured interviews to explore their experiences of disability disclosure. Of the participants, 47 were women. They had a range of disabilities, most of which were hidden; 30, including 17 students, had been disabled at entry to the profession, 28 had been disabled at a later stage and 2 were recently disabled. Participants from all three professional groups considered that disclosure of disability was likely to have the effect of excluding them from a professional training programme or post. Disclosing mental health needs was considered particularly likely to have this effect. However, most participants had disclosed their disabilities to some extent. Twenty three practitioners and 17 students reported receiving adjustments or accommodations following disclosure. Change in attitudes among colleagues was another key outcome. Participants varied in their knowledge and understanding of the fitness standards for their profession. The study concluded that abolishing health standards for the professions would increase disability disclosure and decrease the stigma associated with disability.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, nursing, regulation, social work, stereotyped attitudes, teaching, user views, attitudes, disabilities, disclosure, discrimination;