Transcript the of and on people labeled with mental health disabilities. PowerPoint presented with discussions and attendee interaction. By Chuck Hughes We will examine stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination from the perspective of those who.

the
of
and
on people labeled with mental
health disabilities.
PowerPoint presented
with discussions and attendee
interaction.
By Chuck Hughes
We will examine
stereotyping, prejudice,
and discrimination from
the perspective of those
who are the targets.
• address how
prejudice and
discrimination affect
people with mental
health issues, along
with steps everyone
can take to reduce
stigma.
It’s an ugly, six-letter word that can singlehandedly dictate how our life will turn out.
Mental health stigma can mean the
difference between getting that dream job or
remaining unemployed. Between getting that
coveted boyfriend or girlfriend or remaining
single. It can also mean the difference
between remaining in hiding or coming out
of the mental health closet.
is a mark of disgrace. In
mental health it arises from
negative stereotyping of
consumers.
is
being treated unfairly or denied
opportunities.
arises
when an individual or situation is
pre-judged, and can lead to public
fear, misunderstanding and
intolerance.
People with mental
health problems
experience prejudice and
discrimination in almost
aspect of their
lives.
Many have said the stigma of mental health
issues are
than the issues itself.
The message that “mental illness is just a
disease” isn’t reducing stigma. It’s actually
making the stigma worse. Discussion?
Everyone who has dealt
first-hand with the stigma
around mental health likely
has a working definition in
their mind, but the people
at Penn State sum it up
quite nicely.
“Stigma refers to negative attitudes (prejudice) and
negative behaviour (discrimination) towards people
with lived experiences in mental health.”
• It is constantly on the • But since stigma has to
move. It can catch
begin with a negative
you in the workplace
untrue belief (myth), if
or in the classroom.
we can lessen the
untrue belief, we should
• It can interfere with
in theory be able to
making friends and
can even interfere
lessen the
with keeping friends.
discrimination.
Discussion?
Common
beliefs associated
with people with mental health care needs.
, is
the belief that people
with mental health
care needs are
irresponsible and
incapable of making
decisions, which
leads to loss of
control and power.
and
or social
,
, is the
belief that people with
mental health care
needs should be
feared and isolated
from communities.
Discussion?
A third common
• The third belief is
, the
belief that consumers
are ‘innocent and
naïve’ and therefore
should be cared for.
This belief, which can
often be seen in how
services are provided,
is often considered
the least harmful.
• However, these common
myths only serve to;
• Disempowering
consumers….
• Keep us in our places…
• Forever dependent on the
others….
• Thy bring about low
expectation, lack of
opportunity in life and
greatly hinders recovery.
Discussion?
People
what they
.
International research has demonstrated a
clear link between media portrayal and
negative attitudes in the public.
Fact: the proportion of people with mental
health care needs likely to display violent
behavior is small, with this group
significantly more likely to be victims of
violence.
.
The proportion of people with mental health care
needs likely to display violent behavior is small, with
this group significantly more likely to be victims of
violence.
The best way to challenge these stereotypes
is through firsthand contact with people with
experience of mental health problems.
Many University Psych Departments. will
pay consumer/survivor panel for
presentations. All it takes is for some one
with lived experience to organize a panel .
• We can each make short
videos introducing
ourselves, as ordinary
people like everyone
else....
• highlighting our
accomplishments and
contributions to society....
• in passing mention that we
do have mental health
issues
• but that our MH issues (or
diagnoses) are not our
most defining character
Discussion?
•
•
•
By simply talking about it, we
dispel some myths and show that
we are just like other people.
I have a feeling that, eventually,
people will start to accept that
consumers are people just like
them selves.
only we have had different
experiences than others.
We are not our diagnoses
In the hand out provided you will find two blank
sheet of paper; on one write down in big boaled
letters the psychiatric labial that the system has
pined on you.
After everyone is finished writing; we’ll each stand
turning to our left then to our right, tearing up our
labels and saying out laud, in our own words. Why
we renounce, refuse to acknowledge, reject,
disclaim and or disown our labels.
An exercise in EmPowerment
In the hand find the second blank sheet of paper
and write 15 things about yourself with out
mentioning MH.
Not just affirmations but any attributes and
accomplishments, things society appreciates.
I am a carpenter, janitor, naturalist, base ball player, hiker,
fishermen,……
After everyone is finished we’ll take turns going
around the room reading aloud what we have
written.
I am women; I am strong, hear my roar!
To reduce prejudice and discrimination (untrue
myths) against people with mental health
challenges.
Educate ourselves
about untrue beliefs
that people have
about mental health
consumers that
serves to keep us in
our places.
Some words are oppressive and others are
liberating. Learn which terms portray consumers in
an EmPowering manner.
. The way we speak
can affect the way
other people think and
speak.
• Use accurate and liberating
words when talking about
people with mental health
problems.
• For example, speak about
“a person with mental
health issues” rather than
“the mentally ill.”
Find opportunities to pass on facts and positive
attitudes about people with mental health problems.
•
•
If people or the media
• Check local and national
present information that
news sources and make
is not true, challenge their
comments on any
myths and stereotypes.
articles or op-ins about
mental health.
Let them know what their
• keeping hope and
negative words and
recovery from mental
incorrect descriptions are
health issues ideas alive.
and how that affects people
with mental health issues.
People with mental health make valuable
contributions to society. Their mental problems are
just one part of who they are.
•
We’ve all heard the
negative stories. Let’s
recognize and applaud
the positive ones.
•
For example, did you know that
Ron Ellis was living with
depression when he and the
Canadian hockey Toronto Maple
Leafs won the Stanley Cup?
Or that World Peace of the
L.A. Lakers, NBA Champions
self identifies as a person
with lived experience with
mental health issues?
Treat consumers and survivors as equals
with dignity and respect.
But don’t be afraid to use
terms like crazy or insane when
appropriate. We all use these
terms, to not use them in the
company of persons with lived
experiences is to treat them
defiantly. Think about how you’d
like others to act toward you if
you.
If you have family
members, friends or coworkers with mental
health issues, support
their choices and
encourage their efforts to
recover.
ADA and the Olmstead decisions; it is against the law for
employers and people who provide services to discriminate
against people with mental health challenges.
•
Denying people access to
jobs, housing and health
care, which most take for
granted, violates human
rights.
• People with mental health
issues have a right to
take an equal part in
society. Let’s make sure
that happens.