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Why talk of illness entrenches discrimination
- Author:
- SAYCE Liz
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 18(2), 2014, pp.68-76.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Biological understandings of mental illness are promoted by both anti-stigma campaigners and increasingly by activists protesting against social security cuts. This paper analyses the pitfalls of the 'illness' conceptualisation for reducing discrimination, comments on divisions between those arguing for a right to work and those who seek a right not to work, and proposes bridge building and more effective messages, drawing on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It reviews relevant evidence on the effectiveness or lack of it of the 'mental illness is an illness like any other' message in anti-stigma work, and discussion of grey literature from campaigners and bloggers. There is a growing body of evidence that the 'illness like any other' message entrenches rather than reduces stigma and discrimination: this message should not be used in anti-discrimination work. At the same time some social security bloggers and campaigners have argued they are 'sick' in order to resist efforts to compel them to seek work or face sanctions; whilst older disability rights campaigners have argued for the right to work. The paper argues for new bridge building and use of evidence based messages in campaigning. (Edited publisher abstract)
Stigma, discrimination and social exclusion: What's in a word?
- Author:
- SAYCE Liz
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 7(4), August 1998, pp.331-343.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
There is mounting evidence that British service users face pervasive discrimination in areas of life ranging from work to parenting, insurance to driving licenses. One of the key concepts used to investigate the problems that users of mental health services face in their relationships to other people, and to society at large, is 'stigma'. This concept is used to frame questions of public attitudes about mental illness, users' self-perceptions and the unfavourable treatment they receive. It is often stated or implied that if we can breakdown 'stigma' we can transform users' position in society, their opportunities and well-being. Examines the limitations of both the concept of 'stigma' and the way it is applied, and reviews the growing literature on discrimination, which is seen as a more promising model on which to base social change.