Fight The Stigma Of Mental Health

When a person with mental illness feels stigmatized among the community they seek health care professionals who can help them feel better. Consumers expect to have understanding and respect in the health sector. Unfortunately, some consumers experience the opposite way and they also felt the stigma with health care providers (SANE Australia 2013).

This highlights the importance of the chosen service improvement, not only for individuals with mental health issues but for those at risk of developing mental illness and the NHS as a whole. These recommendations are present in No Health without Mental Health: A Guide for General Practice (DoH, 2012, online), The NHS Outcomes Framework 2012/13 (DoH, 2011, online), and numerous others.

A national strategy for promoting mental wellbeing and mental health is No Health Without Mental Health.

7. Lt Col Chris Karns, "Eliminating Stigma: A Leadership Responsibility," U.S. Air Force, 02 September 2014,

The disparity in treatment has been attempted to be remedied over the eras. Bills and Acts put into place in the 20th and 21st centuries have seeked to improve care and reduce stigma around those with mental illness. This began in 1942, when Harry Truman signed the National Mental Health Act, which requested the formation of a National Institute of Mental Health. Shortly after this, in 1949, the National Institute of Mental Health was established (“National Institute of Mental Health”). During the company’s 60 year lifespan they have focused on research about mental illness, educating the public, and improving the lives of the mentally ill by working to pass laws. One law that seeks to reduce the stigma of mental illness is the Mental Healths Service Act of California. "California 's Historic Effort To Reduce The Stigma Of Mental Illness: The Mental Health Services Act" from the American Journal Of Public Health illustrates how the Act will make improvements. Families and individuals who have experienced stigma had a big role in the process, specifically with developing a 10 year plan, the California Strategic Plan on Reducing Mental Health Stigma and Discrimination. One component of the Act discussed is the work plan developed by California Mental Health Services Authority, which has three components: stigma and discrimination reduction, student mental health, and suicide prevention. Organizations such as the NIMH have made efforts resulting in the evolution of mental

One of the biggest contributors for poor healthcare is the stigma against mental health. This stigma allows healthcare providers to view those with a mental illness as having low relevance, thus creating disinclination towards providing adequate resources and/or care. This negative stance, based on misinformation and prejudice creates those that have a mental illness to lose their self confidence. Because of this loss, people with mental illness decide not to contribute to their health or livelihood. In the past fifty years, many advances have been made in mental healthcare. However, with the attached stigma, many people choose to not seek out treatment.

The social construction of mental illness limit an individual’s life opportunities as they are labelled “psychotic stalkers, comic figures, neurotics who do everything to excess, or sometimes as sympathetic characters” (DeVoe 2003-2004, p. 926) rarely are they viewed as competent members of society as illustrated by Howard Geld experience, “many years ago, I was diagnosed manic depressive psychotic and ever since then I have tried to live up to it.” (Howard Geld cited in DeVoe 2003-2004, p. 925). However events such as NSW Mental Health Month (October) which emphasises the promotion of social and emotional wellbeing by encouraging people to maximise their health and increase their mental health literacy provides a great opportunity for reducing the fear associated with this group by raising awareness of mental illness which over time serves also to eliminate the stigma associated with

The introduction of headspace appears to be proving positive to the mental, social and emotional health and well being of young people in Australia, thus achieving its strategic vision. Whilst it may not have effectively serviced all vulnerable young people, there is clear evidence to suggest the effectiveness of headspace as a specialised youth mental health initiative despite some ongoing challenges for headspace.

David is a 58-year-old man who has been admitted to a psychiatric ward in a public hospital and agreed to stay voluntarily. This paper will discuss the ways in which David may be able to participate in his intervention plan. Firstly by exploring how to undertake a person centred approach and then outlining how this approach is used in practice through a person centred plan. In this paper the barriers to participation that David may face will also be investigated. Starting with the challenges of implementing consumer participation before addressing the barriers that may be faced from a consumer perspective and then also the barriers that may be faced from the service provider perspective. In the latter part of this paper I will also provide

In order to fully capture the idea of the best treatment options for teenagers I had decided to interview a woman from Glenoaks Hospital, whose job is to work with teenagers who are suffering from mental illnesses. Her name is Alex Bielski; she has been employed at Glenoaks Hospital for a year, but has previously worked at Timberline Knolls, a residential treatment center. During the interview, she answered the questions based off of her experiences at Timberline Residential Treatment center since that is where the majority of her experience was gained. While working at Timberline knolls, she had twenty-four patients who she saw regularly. Often times her patients were already diagnosed with depression and mood disorders. Based off of Alex’s experience, her patients common cause for depression was because of family conflicts, bullying at school, and

The recommendations of the Bramford Review (2006) became the much needed drive in policy change in Northern Ireland on how we view and treat mental health. Although it did not free mental health from stigma it did however bring about the recognition that mental health should be an inherent part of our policy. Despite this Northern Ireland still has the highest mental health figures in the UK, Fundamental Facts (2016) published by the Mental Health Organisation reported that Northern Ireland has a 25% higher overall prevalence of mental health problems than England. An area of concern is the rise of mental health issues amongst the younger generation, a survey carried out by the Northern Ireland Young Life and Times survey on the mental and emotional health of 16-year olds in Northern Ireland found that 29% of its respondents had serious personal emotional or mental health problems (Schubotz 2010).

Ruddick, F. (2013) ‘Promoting mental health and wellbeing’, Nursing Standard, 27 (24), pp.35-39 is the article that I found most beneficial and relevant that will enable me to explain and analyse research or evaluate ]my future role and professional practice as a mental health nurse in promoting the mental health and wellbeing of Patients. It is vital that all nurses see this as imperative and an aspect that should be prioritised alongside the other as they inevitably affect each other and act as preventative measures that will avert associated health conditions.

Evidence of consultation with young people is increasingly required in the development and evaluation of services and is taken as a key indicator in relation to funding” (Kirkby and Bryson.

They depict a world where teenagers are constantly disrupted, harassed, annoyed, distracted and provoked by their own brain. In each element of the campaign, the brain is intent on getting its own way, but through the darker humour shines the possibility of help and support through a site that gives young people the information, tools and confidence to seek support when they need it. Further campaign support comes from two major additions to Youthbeyondblue’s website including: a new “Brain Quiz,” which asks a series of simple questions that can help teenagers determine whether or not they are suffering from depression, and the relaunch of the Youthbeyondblue

The next level - Mental health service level – highlights peer provided mental health services and placement on catchment management teams. Finally, the National Service User Executive - involvement in implementing and evaluating the new mental health policy.