Mental Health Provider-Based Stigma: Understanding the Experience of Clients and Families

Mental Illness Discrimination in Mental Health Treatment Programs: Intersections of Race, Ethnicity, and Sexual Orientation

“…Many of our findings about mental illness discrimination in MHTPs are consistent with those of previous studies (Angell et al 2005;Charles 2013;Gonzales et al 2015;Schulze and Angermeyer 2003). New findings include reports that staff discriminate against PWMI by physically ignoring them and violating privacy or other rights; both of these behaviors appear to be microinsults [i.e., unconscious behaviors that are demeaning or rude (Sue 2010)].…”

“…Consistent with previous research (e.g., Angell et al 2005;Charles 2013;Schulze and Angermeyer 2003), this study found that PWMI perceive that they are targets of mental illness discrimination in MHTPs. It may seem illogical that mental health professionals and organizations whose purpose is to serve PWMI might exhibit mental illness discrimination.…”

“…A study of microaggressions toward PWMI found that providers minimized their experiences and assumed they were not intelligent (Gonzales et al 2015). Charles (2013) identified five dimensions of provider stigma: ''shame and blame; disinterest, annoyance and/or irritation; degradation and dehumanization; poor prognosis/fostering dependence; and coercion and lack of 'real' choice'' (p. 373). Finally, family members report ''stigma by association'' (Quinn and Chaudoir 2009;Schulze and Angermeyer 2003;van der Sanden et al 2014), including being socially excluded and treated negatively by providers (Schulze and Angermeyer 2003;van der Sanden et al 2014).…”

“…PWMI have reported that staff in MHTPs engage in racial (e.g., Delphin-Rittmon et al 2013), sexual orientation (e.g., Kidd et al 2011), and mental illness (e.g., Angell et al 2005;Stromwall et al 2011;Charles 2013) discrimination. Recent studies have explored the form of discrimination that Sue (2010) terms microaggressions: ''brief, everyday exchanges that send denigrating messages to certain individuals because of their group membership' ' (p. 24).…”

Promoting positive perceptions and person centred care toward people with mental health problems using co-design with nursing students

“…Changing negative attitudes is challenging because people are presented with negative stereotypes through the media, about mental illness, despite significant advances in treatment and outcomes (Omori et al, 2012). Stigma arises from the negative attitudes, beliefs and behaviours of others and can have a significant effect on individual wellbeing (Charles 2013). Stigma can lead to dehumanization especially amongst people suffering from mental illness and the process can deprive individuals of human qualities, personality and spirit (Charles 2013, Kwan & Fiske 2008.…”