Stigma & Discrimination

Question 1

Two sets of problems that people with mental illness deal with

Answer 1

1. cope with symptoms
2. stigma + discrimination - can be more distressful than illness itself

= state loss, social exclusion

Question 2

Stigma definition

Answer 2

Mark, stain blemish
caused by; misunderstanding, ignorance, neg attitudes
can lead to; treated as dangerous, different, less than
when a person is labelled they are then part of a stereotyped group

(NSW Health, 2020 )

Question 3

Public stigma

Answer 3

1. reactions/preconceptions of general public towards a group
2. stereotypes associated with labelled characteristic
3. prejudice can occur
4. lead to discrimination as behaviour reaction
5. social/economic power needed to effectively discriminate

Question 4

Self-stigma or internalised stigma?

Answer 4

turning the stigmatising attitudes against self - runs parallel to public stigma
self-stigma = shame, undermines quality of life

Question 5

Structural discrimination

Answer 5

societal rules/regulations may systematically disadvantage - legislation, funding decisions, health insurance policies
eg: MI 12% illness related disability / 2% healthcare budget allocated for services

Question 6

Implicit vs. Explicit stigma

Answer 6

implicit negative reactions = influence subtle, non-verbal
behaviours
biases more indirect

Question 7

Mitigate public stigma strategies

Answer 7

1. protest - support
2. education = facts
3. contact with people with mental illness = inter-group contact theory, reduce prejudice

Question 8

Initiatives to reduce self-stigma & to increase empowerment

Answer 8

self-stigma consequence of unfair public discrimination

discuss/refute neg stereotypes + discussion about MI and stigma, replace myths with facts

Question 9

Fighting structural discrimination

Answer 9

address legislation, mental healthcare funding/health insurance policies

Question 10

Effective practice - ‘strategic stigma change’

Answer 10

1. targeted - focus on key groups
2. local - communities that share characteristics
3. contact between MI and target group
4. credible - person with MI credible to target group
5. continuous - multiple contacts over time

Question 11

Undertaking research and evaluation - changes that are needed

Answer 11

theory-driven, emotional efforts of both sides, testing of effectiveness of interventions, underrepresentation of service users, neglection of impact of structural discrimination