Competency six of the Recovery Competencies for New Zealand Mental Health Workers (2001) states that "a competent mental health worker understands discrimination and social exclusion, its impact on service users and how to reduce it". This involves having knowledge about stigma and discrimination, and an understanding of how these things can affect an individual’s recovery and life in general.
For people who experience mental illness, stigma can be the biggest barrier to recovery. In an acute mental health ward, some of the most major stigma to affect recovery can be the internalised stigma individuals hold about mental illness. This internalised stigma can cause individuals to believe there is something ‘wrong’ with them, and can result in a form of self-discrimination (Caltaux, 2002).
Combating this internalised stigma will involve effective communication between staff and clients which is clear and based in reality (Caltaux, 2002). This can be difficult as clients with internalised stigma often have difficulty communicating appropriately. This proves challenging for occupational therapists who aim to help clients achieve recovery through the use of occupation.
However, one way occupational therapists can deal with this type of internalised stigma is through group and individual work. Discussion groups could be held on the ward for all patients to attend about the myths of mental illness. Clients who are having difficulty communicating may still benefit from the discussions of other clients. By dispelling myths about mental illness and replacing them with the truth occupational therapists can play their part in reducing internalised stigma experienced by clients on an acute ward.
But, what about all the stigma and discrimination that occurs out in the community? How can an occupational therapist, working in the time constraining and restrictive environment of acute mental health deal with this level of stigma?
It would be difficult to deal with a lot of this stigma, but a stepping stone to the community would be working with families of mental health clients. This could be done by working with the families at an individual level to discuss any preconceived ideas they hold about mental illness and help them understand mental illness better.
To combat stigma in the community perhaps occupational therapists and other mental health workers could hold a group for the public about dispelling myths around mental illness. The challenge with this is finding the time and resources to hold such a group. Obviously the government is also trying to combat this stigma through campaigns such as the 'Like minds, like mine' as referred to in the previous post.
Do you have any other ideas about how occupational therapists might combat stigma in the community?
As always, your feedback is much appreciated.
Anna
For people who experience mental illness, stigma can be the biggest barrier to recovery. In an acute mental health ward, some of the most major stigma to affect recovery can be the internalised stigma individuals hold about mental illness. This internalised stigma can cause individuals to believe there is something ‘wrong’ with them, and can result in a form of self-discrimination (Caltaux, 2002).
Combating this internalised stigma will involve effective communication between staff and clients which is clear and based in reality (Caltaux, 2002). This can be difficult as clients with internalised stigma often have difficulty communicating appropriately. This proves challenging for occupational therapists who aim to help clients achieve recovery through the use of occupation.
However, one way occupational therapists can deal with this type of internalised stigma is through group and individual work. Discussion groups could be held on the ward for all patients to attend about the myths of mental illness. Clients who are having difficulty communicating may still benefit from the discussions of other clients. By dispelling myths about mental illness and replacing them with the truth occupational therapists can play their part in reducing internalised stigma experienced by clients on an acute ward.
But, what about all the stigma and discrimination that occurs out in the community? How can an occupational therapist, working in the time constraining and restrictive environment of acute mental health deal with this level of stigma?
It would be difficult to deal with a lot of this stigma, but a stepping stone to the community would be working with families of mental health clients. This could be done by working with the families at an individual level to discuss any preconceived ideas they hold about mental illness and help them understand mental illness better.
To combat stigma in the community perhaps occupational therapists and other mental health workers could hold a group for the public about dispelling myths around mental illness. The challenge with this is finding the time and resources to hold such a group. Obviously the government is also trying to combat this stigma through campaigns such as the 'Like minds, like mine' as referred to in the previous post.
Do you have any other ideas about how occupational therapists might combat stigma in the community?
As always, your feedback is much appreciated.
Anna
(Image retrieved from: http://www.ght.org.uk/news/category/stigma on 2nd September, 2010).
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