Reducing stigma
What does stigma mean? It means being avoided, ignored, talked about, laughed at or bullied because of a mental health problem.
Like all prejudice, stigma is based on fear, and a lack of knowledge. Myths about mental health problems can discourage people from getting help early. Such myths can also encourage stigma against people with mental health problems.
Stigmatising language, such as 'psycho', 'loony', 'nutter', is just as unacceptable as racist, sexist or homophobic language. Bullying or harassing someone because of mental ill health is just as damaging as any other kind of bullying and it should be challenged in the same way.
One of the most effective ways of fighting stigma is to make sure that you have good quality information, keep an open mind and talk about the issues. Keeping things hidden can give stigma a home.
Practitioners working with young people are one of the most important groups influencing young people's behaviour. The See Me and Just like Me websites (see links below) suggest a number of ways of reducing stigma. They provide practical activities and tools you can use to minimise stigma among young people; they also provide free downloadable resources.
Useful links
Just Like Me
A campaign aimed at young people aged between 12 and 18 years, designed to help tackle the stigma and discrimination that can occur when people have mental health problems. This site provides useful information about mental health and and links to sources of support. The campaign also makes available cartoon-style leaflets and posters that can be used to support its message: these can be downloaded from the 'Just Like Me' Resources page.
See Me
The See Me campaign challenges the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental ill health in Scotland; the website contains facts, personal stories and information on support groups around the country.
Useful report
Word file: Stopping Stigma, Increasing Awareness (Highland Users Group, 2006) (290KB)
This report has been produced by the Highland Users Group and celebrates the last three years of its communications project work. It outlines the group's work on mental health awareness training; working with young people; working with the media; producing training and educational resources; using ICT; working with other mediums; and working nationally and internationally.
The Highland Users Group is a network of people who use, or have used, mental health services in the Highlands. It has 13 branches across the Highlands and works to help people with mental health problems live without discrimination and be equal partners in their communities.
