Cynthia Netting Counseling

3 weeks ago

”Focus On: The Seven Types of Stigma

In writing for the NAMI blog, social worker and depression survivor Gretchen Grappone discusses managing stigma in addition to her mental health symptoms. She has identified seven different types of stigma, described briefly below.

Public stigma is when the public endorses negative stereotypes and prejudices that result is negative consequences for people with mental illness. Example: Mentally ill characters in movies have historically been villains or monsters.

Self stigma is when a person with a mental illness internalizes that public stigma.Example: Clients often say they have not disclosed their symptoms to anyone in their families.

Perceived stigma is the belief that others think negatively of those with mental illnesses. This can contribute to the shame those affected often feel.

Label avoidance is when a person chooses not to seek treatment to avoid being labelled mentally ill. Example: A person delays seeking treatment to avoid an official diagnosis.

Stigma by association is what extends to a friend or loved one of the diagnosed person. Example: returning to work after cancer vs. returning to work after depression can be very different experiences.

Structural stigma includes institutional policies that create decreased opportunities for people with mental illness. Example: Other medical treatment might be handled differently than mental health treatment.

Health Practitioner stigma is anytime a health professional allows prejudice to adversely affect a patient’s care. Example: heart surgeon refuses to do surgery on a patient with schizophrenia because the surgeon assumes the patient won’t do the follow-up care.

Contact with an individual with a mental illness seems to be the most effective stigma reduction technique.” … See MoreSee Less