2nd November 2007 GAMIAN-Europe’s 10th Anniversary 2007 Annual Educational Convention Stigma –...

2nd November 2007 www.eufami.org 1

GAMIAN-Europe’s 10th Anniversary2007 Annual Educational Convention

Stigma – by and in the family

2nd November 2007Zagreb, Croatia

Inger NilssonPresident


AGENDA

• EUFAMI - Introduction• Mental Illness• Education• Stigma• Discrimination• Media and Mental Illness• Stigma - Consequences• Ways to eliminate Stigma• Guidelines


History

• European Federation of Associations of Families of People with Mental Illness

• Founded 1992 ‘seed’ sown at family congress at De Haan in 1990 The De Haan Manifesto

• Founding Principle commitment to improving care and welfare for all

people affected by mental illness – including families and carers

The right to be heard as a group with a ‘vested’ interest

• Based in Leuven, Belgium


MENTAL ILLNESS

• Major Health Problem untold suffering

• Effects most families at some stage• 1 in 4 will experience a mental health problem• One of the most excluded from society• Economic costs are enormous


EDUCATION

• Some of the common myths

People with mental health problems are violent and dangerous

People with mental health problems are poor and less intelligent

Mental health problems are caused by personal weakness

Mental illness cannot be treated


STIGMA

Stigma means a mark or sign – of shame, disgrace or disapproval

Being shunned or rejected by others Disrespect Negative labels


DISCRIMINATION

• The stigma surrounding mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, is strong in our community

• Discrimination is experienced constantly, e.g. employment accommodation healthcare finance simply making friends

• Stigma affects not only those with the illness, but their families and carers as well


The First Year

• 1993• Family/relatives – friends• Work• Accusations• Silence - Pricken• Sick leave - Depression


MEDIA AND MENTAL ILLNESS

• Topics most commonly reported crime - homicides, drugs, violent incidents

• Topics least commonly reported mental health services, family or user stories

• Most commonly quoted lawmakers, victims, health officials

• Least commonly quoted people with mental illness, families, carers

• Media reporting - adverse effect on people with mental illness and their families

• Reporting is unfair, biased and unbalanced


STIGMA - CONSEQUENCES

• Stigma - one of the most serious and oppressing factors confronting persons with mental illness and their families

• Impact can be devastating and sometimes fatal• Result of stigmatisation

Feelings of isolation and depression are a common• The effects of stigma include

Discouragement, hurt and anger Lowered self-esteem Broken or disrupted relationships Negative labelling Decreased chance of employment


•Increase in Stigma

•Feelings, fear, shame

•“Lumping everyone together”

•Without nuances

Personal Experience Effects – Carer and users


WAYS TO ELIMINATE STIGMA

• Education• Talking Openly• Quality Support and Treatment• Personal Role• Language• Media


GUIDELINES

• Treat Mental Illness as a health rather than safety issue • Check for internal guidelines for reporting mental illness copy • Be aware of language• Try to obtain family and carers comments• Always consider quoting either user or family/carer• If reporting in a ‘crime’ context, be aware of the statistics• Consider all sides and the effects that the story may have• Media Packs are now available from main voluntary bodies• Be sensitive and responsible

Nobody is asking for special favours, just balance and justice


THANK YOU

zerostigma

2nd November 2007 GAMIAN-Europe’s 10th Anniversary 2007 Annual Educational Convention Stigma –...

Documents

Transcript of 2nd November 2007 GAMIAN-Europe’s 10th Anniversary 2007 Annual Educational Convention Stigma –...