"The Time To Eradicate Mental Health Stigma And Discrimination Is Now"

• Published date: 02 November 2022
• Subject Matter: Employment and HR, Discrimination, Disability & Sexual Harassment, Health & Safety
• Law Firm: Weightmans
• Author: Mr Jim Byard

Governments, employers, schools and health and social care providers called up on to fight the stigma that still surrounds mental health.

In a publication timed to coincide with World Mental Health Day on 10 October 2022, a Lancet Commission Report "Ending stigma and discrimination in mental health", comprising 50 global authors, makes a call to governments, employers, schools and health and social care providers to recognise that "mental health is part of being human" and to "act now to prevent stigma and start inclusion".

The report defines and characterises four ways in which mental health stigma can arise;

1. Self stigma

   Where individuals turn in on themselves, reinforcing negative stereotypes leading to demoralisation and the "why try" effect.

2. Stigma by association

   Usually involving close family members.

3. Public stigma

   The way a community views and acts towards mental health issues often leading to misinformation, prejudice and discrimination.

4. Institutional stigma

   Where the policies or practices of governments or organisations work to the disadvantage of those with mental health issues.

The authors refer to the double jeopardy felt by many - dealing not only with the impact of the primary condition but the secondary consequences of stigma. The report points to the cost of mental health stigma, often leading to social exclusion in education or the workplace, loss of property and poorer healthcare.

Media reporting of mental health issues was found to offer a mixed benefit - some reporting was found to fuel a "misconception" that mental health was "dangerous and unpredictable", whilst responsible and nuanced reporting had been shown to help reduce stigma, particularly around suicide.

The authors' concluding recommendations are to draw...