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Should youth disclose their mental health challenges? Perspectives from students, parents, and school professionals
- Authors:
- BUCHHOLZ Blythe, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Public Mental Health, 14(3), 2015, pp.159-168.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Disclosure seems to be a useful strategy for adults to deal with both the public and self-stigma of mental illness. However, youth may face a different set of risks when coming out with their experiences. The purpose of this paper is to examine youth, parent, and teacher perspectives on the costs and benefits of disclosure by middle- and high school-aged youth to better understand these risks. Design/methodology/approach: Focus groups were conducted with questions framed to elicit the different ways mental health challenges are discussed in schools and families. Findings: Surprisingly, the benefits of disclosure seemed to far outweigh the costs across groups. Benefits included ways to deal with stigma, reducing isolation, and “differentness,” as well as the pursuit of mental health services if needed. Costs included harsh responses to disclosure by peers and family members. Participants shared strategies used to minimise risk, including where and with whom youth might share their stories. Social implications: The results suggest many youth have disclosed their experiences with mental health challenges and have received mixed responses; these reactions often serve as the barometer for future disclosure decisions. Other youth are considering disclosure in a variety of settings, but are unsure how to go about it safely. Implications for addressing stigma are discussed. (Edited publisher abstract)