• Question: do you think mental health movements such as young minds are effective In reducing stigma?

    Asked by anon-237374 to Peter, Mhairi, Madeleine, Catherine, Andrew on 13 Mar 2020.
    • Photo: Peter Kinderman

      Peter Kinderman answered on 13 Mar 2020:

      OK… complex….
      Yes… but….
      First, I think we should probably talk about discrimination and prejudice. ‘Stigma’ is really about what people feel about themselves, and that’s important, but we also need to address how other people behave towards people with mental health problems.
      Then… do we need to act?
      Absolutely, prejudice towards people with mental health problems has been described as the last big human rights struggle.
      Are movements like Young Minds effective?
      Well, they’re good… but it’s very difficult to combat prejudice.
      I believe we need to encourage open and honest communication about mental health… and, at least for me, that means talking about our emotions in non-pathologising language… that means NOT talking about illnesses and disorders (because the evidence is that such language is unhelpful), but talking about psychology.
      I’ve done a radio programme about this: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/allinthemind/does-mental-illness-exist/9130774

    • Photo: Mhairi Bowe

      Mhairi Bowe answered on 14 Mar 2020:

      Stigma reduction is absolutely vital. Stigma can stop people both reaching out for help and taking it when it is offered (both by friends and by services). Anything we can do to reassure each other that it is okay to needs help and receive help in times of need is really valuable.

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