Mental Health Stigma

1. Mental Health Stigma Patrick Norton

2. What is Stigma? “Mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person” Social vs. Self-directed

3. Social Stigma Stereotypes Negative Perceptions or Beliefs Labeling Schemas Bias

4. Guided Imagery Exercise • Please clear your minds • Imagine the individuals that are described for you • Create the most detailed, vivid, and textured images in your mind that you can • Physical appearance? • How are they dressed? • What is the environment you put them in? • I will provide additional information about each individual. Please let the mental image develop in your mind’s eye with each new detail

5. African American Woman Single mother Works full time Chief of Pediatric Oncology at Children’s Hospital, Boston

6. Homosexual Man Japanese ancestry Father of two Just celebrated his 82nd birthday

7. Teenage Girl Bipolar with clinical depression Born in Honduras Significant self injurious behavior About to graduate high school as valedictorian

8. White Male 27 years old World class Athlete Multiple world championships Requires wheelchair for mobility

9. Chinese American Woman Addicted to drugs Significant personal debt 2nd year surgery resident at prestigious hospital

10. Pair and Share! • What was your experience with this exercise? • Discuss how this exercise may highlight potential personal bias and stereotyping • Identify how these biases or stereotypes may affect interactions with students, clients, families, and even other professionals • What are some stereotypes or biases others may hold towards you?

11. Don’t Feel Bad! Everyone holds various biases informed by their personal experience Stereotypes and Biases are how the brain increases its efficiency

12. So what about Mental Health? • Most commonly held beliefs about individuals with mental health illness • They are dangerous and unpredictable • The disorders are self inflicted • They are hard to talk to • These beliefs are held regardless of age, knowledge of mental health problems, or personal experience with someone with mental illness

13. Who has these beliefs? Adolescents with mental health problems report stigma from: Family – 46% Peers – 62% Teachers / School staff – 35%

14. Self Directed Stigma Internalized public attitudes and beliefs Awareness -> Agreement -> Application

15. Where Did the Stigma Come From? History Medical Model Misinformation

16. History of Mental Health Beliefs that individuals with mental illness were dangerous and violent Beliefs about demonic possession or other supernatural explanations for disorders Primary treatment of mental disorders up until present day has been institutionalization or incarceration

17. Medical Model Can be good for treatment and general advancement, but generates stigma Labeling - People with mental illness are inherently “different” than “normal” people Diagnosis driven model pathologizes normal behavior, beliefs, and experiences

18. Misinformation • Comorbidity with socially undesirable traits • Homelessness • Hygiene • Chronic Illness • Substance Abuse • Relationship Issues • Crime and violence • Media Portrayals • Visibility

19. Effect of Stigma Exclusion, poor social support, poorer subjective quality of life, low self-esteem Significant barrier to treatment Negative effect on treatment efficacy Self Stigma- Poorer vocational outcomes and increased social isolation

23. Depression Treatment in Alabama 12-17 year olds with Major Depressive Episode (2009-2013)

24. How can we help? • Awareness • Advocacy • Personal • Professional

25. For more information… Patrick Norton Program Coordinator – Family and Community Services pnorton@glenwood.org Pinterest: Patrick Norton

26. Special Thanks!