Discrimination and the Mentally Ill

Many people experience stigma for many reasons. Discrimination is found in many different prejudices, like sexual orientation, gender, culture or physical disability. Discrimination can lead to mental problems or substance abuse problems. And people who already discriminated for any reason may be even less able to find help for these problems or less able to find services that they need.
Research shows that over half of people living with mental disorders say that they were embarrassed about their mental health problems, and over half felt like they had experienced discrimination.


Just under half of the people thought that a mental disorder was just an excuse for poor behavior. Only about one in three people would continue to be friends with someone with an alcohol use problem. Only about one in four would continue to be friends with someone with a drug use problem



What can we do about it? Discrimination of mental health and substance use is a human rights problem. Human rights are rights that all people should have. The respect and dignity is a freedom that should not be taken away by other people’s ideas or by myths. It is a basic human right for all people with mental health and substance use problems. Everyone has the right to live without discrimination of any kind.


Health and well-being are things like human rights and access to opportunities. Discrimination denies human rights, and creates unequal access. Human rights and helping everyone to take part in our society, we are also fighting the discrimination and improving people’s wellbeing.


Focus on the differences in people poverty, the need for affordable housing; more education opportunities and the opportunity for meaningful work are social factors that can affect well-being. These factors may be an outcome of mental health and a cause of mental health issues. Inequalities tackled among the members of a community are helpful for the individuals and society. The systems that create differences by encouraging our governments have to have positive laws. Supporting people in our communities who are working to reduce differences is paramount to resolve mental health discrimination.


Everyone has the right to work. Work gives us purpose and meaning. Also the income, with other social factors, for example, if we have a high income, we can afford better housing and have right to more services. People are entitled to have access to training, education or other work programs. Direct personal contact and interacting with people with mental health or substance use problems is one of the best ways to improve public attitudes. Experiences can counteract the major myths. Education can help people to understand the problems the mentally ill face.


Mental illness and substance use problems are shared by humanity the fear, prejudice and discrimination are less when we talk about mental health problems as unfortunate biological problems and fateful circumstances which a person has no control of.


Help people be heard: We need to encourage anti-stigma programs and research. Supporting people and connecting them with others who share the same problems. When people relate to each other’s difficulties and want to see a change, to share their stories they can protest the injustice.


Media like TV, movies, newspapers, influence how we see others. The media should show people for who they really are capable and productive members of society. The voice of people with mental illnesses and substance use problems with backup of the media can be powerful. The discrimination against a group of people is a vital issue that needs to be addressed by all.