Seminar F: Overcoming the stigma of mental health: Seminar F: Overcoming the stigma of mental health Louis Appleby National Director for Mental Health Jane Beckett Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership Trust Sarah Taylor Trust Practice – Educator


Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Health: Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Health Jane Beckett and Sarah Taylor Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust


TAGISM = labelling: TAGISM = labelling Sight defect glasses Hearing problem hearing aid Diabetes insulin Broken leg surgery Mental illness ?


The effects of mental illness: The effects of mental illness 1 in 4 people experience mental illness at some point in their lives 41% of people with mental distress faced harassment in the community. 90% felt that this was due to their mental health problem 56% experienced some form of unfair treatment from their families


The effects of mental illness: The effects of mental illness 1 in 10 people lost all or most of their friends after telling them about their mental illness 6 out of 10 people thought that they might have been turned down for a job because of their experience of mental distress Service user statistics from the Mental Health Media’s Anti-Discrimination Toolkit (OPENUP)


Slide7: “If you are unfortunate enough to be labelled as mentally ill, it is as if they use permanent ink” But do they know what to write on the label?


Mad, Bad and Sad: Mad, Bad and Sad Sarah’s experience


Why is mental illness stigmatised?: Why is mental illness stigmatised? FEAR of the unknown. You can’t see a physical problem. There may be anti-social behaviour or shyness, so service users can be isolated. People can’t always explain exactly what the problem is and may be undiagnosed and untreated for years. There may be visible side-effects from medication. Services are often based in isolated “mental health” buildings, with associated stigma.


What are we doing to overcome stigma?: What are we doing to overcome stigma? Involving People Project Back to basics Keep it simple No mention of mental health! Aim is to get people involved. Overcoming stigma is a “by product”


Involving People Project: Involving People Project Working in partnership with: staff service users PALS Manager Social Services Patient and Public Involvement Forum Worcestershire Mental Health Network Embedding the principles of “involvement” in all that we do


Involving People Project: Involving People Project Patient and Public Involvement Strategy rewritten in partnership Chief Executive joined project group Strategy to Trust Board to secure “ownership” from the top of the organisation Communication throughout the Trust and beyond


Involving People Project: Involving People Project Patient “surgeries” on in-patient wards (PALS Manager) Patient’s Charter Extending partnership working to other organisations, including those on the periphery of mental health Accessible information: personalised Patient and Carer Information Packs


Involving People Project: Involving People Project Involving People Conference: senior Trust staff, service users and partner organisation Awareness raising within and outside the Trust Engaging staff on the ground Meeting people where they are


Involving People Project: Involving People Project Specific initiatives for the next 12 months: Staff road shows Public meetings Stakeholder events Focus/discussion groups Consultation exercises Patient surveys


Summary: Summary Engaging people: Listen Communicate Act Feed back Gaining ownership at all levels Reaching out to the wider population Overcoming fear of the unknown