SCIE Practice guide 09: Dignity in care
Dignity in Care within mental health - Tackling stigma
Introduction
Tackling stigma is a key area of concern if we are to help people with mental health needs to maintain their dignity. People with mental health problems are one of the most excluded groups in society. Yet one in four of us will experience a mental health problem at some point in our lives. New research (Attitudes to Mental Illness in England 2007, CSIP/SHiFT, July 2007) shows that attitudes in England towards mental health have worsened further, contrasting with Scotland, where a strong anti-stigma campaign has changed attitudes. The survey showed a17 per cent increase (up to 34 per cent), in belief that the mentally ill are prone to violence in England, compared to drop of more than 50 per cent (from 32 per cent to 15 per cent) in Scotland. Only 65 per cent of people now believe that people with mental health problems should have the same right to a job as anyone else.
Key points from research and policy
- 84 per cent experience problems in getting jobs, mortgages, healthcare, friendships, relationships (Mind survey, 2004)
- 55 per cent of young people with mental health problems (NUS and Rethink, 2001) wouldn't want anyone else to know about their illness
- 49 per cent of people with mental health problems have been harassed or attacked (Mind, Not Just Sticks and Stones, 1996)
- 33 per cent of this group report having been dismissed or forced to resign from jobs (Read and Baker, 1996).
Other resources
SHIFT (the anti-stigma and discrimination programme and the National Social Inclusion Programme, which are part of the Care Services Improvement Partnership) is a five year initiative to tackle stigma and discrimination towards people with Mental Health issues. SHIFT work with young people, in public services, with employers and the media. They are currently looking at how to address Mental Health discrimination issues within employment, media, young people, public organisations and sport.
Action on Stigma - Providers and commissioners of health and social care services may wish to take part in the 'Action on Stigma’ initiative being taken forward by SHIFT. The initiative provides guidance, advice and support via eight regional teams to employers working towards the six 'Action on Stigma’ Principles.
The Action on Stigma Principles
- Employers can demonstrate that employees are helped to look after their mental health by making them aware of the steps they can take to preserve and maintain their own and others mental well-being
- Employers promote a culture of respect and dignity for everyone, ensuring that the staff are trained to recognise and be sensitive to mental distress or disability in others, whether they are workplace colleagues or customers
- Employers encourage awareness of mental health issues, so that employees are aware of the signs of distress and understand the importance of seeking help early
- Employers can demonstrate that no one is refused employment on the grounds of mental health or disability
- Employers make reasonable adjustments to the work environment for people with mental health problems so that they can continue working
- Employers can demonstrate that they take positive steps to ensure that people with mental health problems are not disadvantaged, in relation to the availability of their goods and services
Link: SHIFT
Moving People promises to change the culture of mental health forever in a ground-breaking bid to battle the growing problem of mental health stigma and discrimination, aiming to reach some 30 million people across England. Today, the Big Lottery Fund has announced an award of £16 million from its Well-being programme, matched by a further £2 million from Comic Relief, giving an historic opportunity to Moving People, a mental health charity partnership led by Mental Health Media, Mind, Rethink and Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London.
The £18 million 4-year programme, mental health's biggest ever voluntary-sector led initiative, is evidence-based from best international practice, placing the expertise of people with mental health problems at the centre of all activity (Moving People is built on a powerful evidence base of what works, developed in Australia, New Zealand and Scotland). It includes:
- A nation-wide anti-stigma campaign, including TV advertising, backed by detailed information resources including a dedicated website
- 28 England-wide local community physical activity projects, backing the national campaign by bringing together people with and without mental health problems in activities from boxing and football to country walks
- 'Get Moving' - mass participation events focusing on mental and physical well-being, building up to the 2012 Olympics
- 'Open-Up' - locally delivered programme to empower people with mental health problems to challenge the daily discrimination that they face
- Training and education programme targeting around 10,000 leaders and professionals who have the power to influence key sectors (for example, medical students/trainee teachers) to help them change current discriminatory behaviour
- Legal challenges, helping change discriminatory legislation and policy
For general information, email: info@movingpeople.org.uk
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