Posted: September 10th, 2023

Addressing Stigma Amongst Carers and Patients with Mental Health Issues

Addressing Stigma Amongst Carers and Patients with Mental Health Issues
Stigma surrounding mental health continues to present challenges for both patients and their carers. Recent studies have provided insights into how stigma manifests and potential strategies for overcoming it. This article explores the issue and offers recommendations based on current research.
Understanding Stigma
Stigma refers to the strong negative attitudes and beliefs that are directed at persons with mental illness (PMI). It involves labeling, stereotyping, status loss, and discrimination experienced by PMI and their carers.1 Stigma causes significant distress and negatively impacts help-seeking and treatment adherence.2 For carers, it adds additional stress to an already demanding role.3
Research has found stigma stems from perceptions that PMI are dangerous, unpredictable, and to blame for their condition.4 The media often portrays negative and sensationalized stories, perpetuating these stereotypes.5 Lack of contact with PMI and limited mental health literacy also fuel stigma.6
Impact on Patients and Carers
For patients, stigma is associated with lower self-esteem and sense of empowerment, hindering recovery.7 It discourages seeking help due to fears of being shamed or discriminated against.8 Carers report stigma causing social isolation, difficulties maintaining relationships and employment.9 They also experience secondary stigma from being associated with the PMI.10
Overcoming Stigma
Education has been shown to improve understanding and reduce stigma.11 Programs that provide facts, increase awareness of treatments, and promote personal interactions with PMI are most effective.12 Social media can also help shift attitudes by sharing real stories that challenge stereotypes.13
Anti-stigma campaigns aim to change perceptions at a societal level.14 Targeting the media to improve their portrayals of mental illness may positively influence public stigma over time.15 On an individual level, developing resilience and empowerment amongst PMI and carers can help minimize stigma's impacts.16 Overall, a multifaceted, long-term approach is needed to overcome the stigma surrounding mental illness.
In conclusion, while stigma remains prevalent, ongoing research provides guidance on the most promising strategies. Continued efforts through education, advocacy, and community support are imperative to improving the experiences of those affected.
References:
Link, B. G., & Phelan, J. C. (2001). Conceptualizing stigma. Annual review of Sociology, 27(1), 363-385.
Corrigan, P. W. (2004). How stigma interferes with mental health care. American psychologist, 59(7), 614.
Wahl, O. F. (1999). Mental health consumers' experience of stigma. Schizophrenia bulletin, 25(3), 467.
Angermeyer, M. C., & Dietrich, S. (2006). Public beliefs about and attitudes towards people with mental illness: a review of population studies. Acta psychiatrica scandinavica, 113(3), 163-179.
Wahl, O. F., & Aroesty-Cohen, E. (2010). Attitudes of mental health professionals about mental illness: A review of the recent literature. Journal of Community Psychology, 38(1), 49-62.
Jorm, A. F. (2000). Mental health literacy: Public knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 177(5), 396-401.
Livingston, J. D., & Boyd, J. E. (2010). Correlates and consequences of internalized stigma for people living with mental illness: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Social science & medicine, 71(12), 2150-2161.
Clement, S., Schauman, O., Graham, T., Maggioni, F., Evans-Lacko, S., Bezborodovs, N., ... & Thornicroft, G. (2015). What is the impact of mental health-related stigma on help-seeking? A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies. Psychological medicine, 45(1), 11-27.
Pitt, V., Lowe, D., Hill, S., Prictor, M., Higginson, I. J., & Hotopf, M. (2013). Research with carers of people with mental health problems: methodological challenges and strategies. BMC psychiatry, 13(1), 1-9.
Van der Sanden, R. L., Bos, A. E., Stutterheim, S. E., Pryor, J. B., & Kok, G. (2015). Experiences of stigma by association among family members of people with mental illness. Rehabilitation psychology, 60(1), 15.
Corrigan, P., & Watson, A. (2007). The stigma of psychiatric disorders and the gender, ethnicity, and education of the perceiver. Community mental health journal, 43(5), 439-458.
Corrigan, P. W., Morris, S. B., Michaels, P. J., Rafacz, J. D., & Rüsch, N. (2012). Challenging the public stigma of mental illness: a meta-analysis of outcome studies. Psychiatric services, 63(10), 963-973.
Lupton, D. (2014). "Feeling better connected": Academics' use of social media. Canberra: News & Media Research Centre, University of Canberra.
Evans-Lacko, S., Little, K., Meltzer, H., Rose, D., Rhydderch, D., Henderson, C., & Thornicroft, G. (2013). Development and psychometric properties of the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 58(suppl 1), S55-S62.
Corrigan, P. W., & Penn, D. L. (2015). Lessons from social psychology on discrediting psychiatric stigma. Stigma and Health, 1(S), 2-17.
Rüsch, N., Angermeyer, M. C., & Corrigan, P. W. (2005). Mental illness stigma: Concepts, consequences, and initiatives to reduce stigma. European psychiatry, 20(8), 529-539.