Fighting stigma
Service users and carers often say that if there was greater public understanding of mental illness, they might be better supported and treated with more respect and compassion.
Campaigns such as The Royal College of Psychiatrists’ ‘Changing Minds’ launched in 1998 aimed to challenge the stigma of mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, eating disorders and dementia, by highlighting that mental illness will most likely touch every family in the country in some way.
In order to change negative attitudes to mental illness, the public needs to be aware of what it means, that it takes strength and courage it takes to live with, that it can be treated and managed, and that stereotypes of violence and mental incapacity are not accurate.
Research on this subject concludes that people with mental illness only feel able to talk to friends, family and colleagues if they think they are likely to understand. Sadly, some still report experience of some colleagues, friends and family being dismissive, hostile and fearful. In order to change the way people see illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression and anxiety, more positive images of recovery and illness management need to be in visible in society.
In March 2006, Rethink is launching an anti-stigma campaign in Norwich aiming to put across these positive messages to the public in the hope that stigma can be reduced, and empathy and understanding increased.
Service users are also urged to become ‘advocates’ themselves by getting involved in local campaigning through organisations such as Rethink.
In order to change negative attitudes to mental illness, the public needs to be aware of what it means, that it takes strength and courage it takes to live with, that it can be treated and managed, and that stereotypes of violence and mental incapacity are not accurate.
Research on this subject concludes that people with mental illness only feel able to talk to friends, family and colleagues if they think they are likely to understand. Sadly, some still report experience of some colleagues, friends and family being dismissive, hostile and fearful. In order to change the way people see illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression and anxiety, more positive images of recovery and illness management need to be in visible in society.
In March 2006, Rethink is launching an anti-stigma campaign in Norwich aiming to put across these positive messages to the public in the hope that stigma can be reduced, and empathy and understanding increased.
Service users are also urged to become ‘advocates’ themselves by getting involved in local campaigning through organisations such as Rethink.
If more people knew about the nature of mental illness, they would understand that it doesn’t mean people are unable to contribute to society. The mentally ill are the most keen to work out of all those with disabilities, and yet it is a common experience for people to be discriminated against at work after being diagnosed, to be passed over for promotion, to lose their job or not even be considered when applying for one.
