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Challenging Stigma and Discrimination in Communities: A Focus Group Study Identifying UK Mental Health Service Users’ Main Campaign Priorities

Author

Listed:
  • Vanessa Pinfold

    (Health Services Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK, vanessa.pinfold@rethink.org)

  • Peter Byrne

    (University College London, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Holborn Union Building, Archway Campus, Highgate Hill, London N19 5NF, UK, p.byrne@ucl.ac.uk)

  • Hilary Toulmin

    (Health Services Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK)

Abstract

Background: Stigma and discrimination experienced by people with mental health problems have been identified as major obstacles to treatment and recovery. Less is known about how to effectively tackle stigma-discrimination, although there are numerous international, national and local programmes attempting to improve public mental health literacy and anti-discrimination evidenced based practice. Aims: To explore mental health service users’ views on how campaigns to address stigma and discrimination should prioritise their actions. Method: Qualitative study using focus group discussions, involving 33 persons aged between 25 and 75. Results: A triad of diminished credibility, dis-empowerment with particular reference to communication problems and avoidance by their social network defined experiences of stigma. Reactions to stigma can be placed in four categories: avoid stigma, resign yourself to it, challenge it, or distance yourself from others with a mental health problem. A range of solutions was discussed with most favouring changes within the health services that are currently supporting them over traditional educational programmes with the public. Conclusions: For mental health service users stigma must be tackled on many different levels reflecting the varied and complex impact that negative social reactions have on an individual’s life. When asked to prioritise one area, most service users in our sample highlighted reforms within the health service for tackling stigma and discrimination.

Suggested Citation

  • Vanessa Pinfold & Peter Byrne & Hilary Toulmin, 2005. "Challenging Stigma and Discrimination in Communities: A Focus Group Study Identifying UK Mental Health Service Users’ Main Campaign Priorities," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 51(2), pages 128-138, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:51:y:2005:i:2:p:128-138
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764005056760
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Prior, Lindsay & Wood, Fiona & Lewis, Glyn & Pill, Roisin, 2003. "Stigma revisited, disclosure of emotional problems in primary care consultations in Wales," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 56(10), pages 2191-2200, May.
    2. Schulze, Beate & Angermeyer, Matthias C., 2003. "Subjective experiences of stigma. A focus group study of schizophrenic patients, their relatives and mental health professionals," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 56(2), pages 299-312, January.
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    1. Noor Ahmed Giasuddin & Itzhak Levav & Gilad Gal, 2015. "Mental health stigma and attitudes to psychiatry among Bangladeshi medical students," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 61(2), pages 137-147, March.

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