Stigma is defined in the dictionary as “a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality or person”.
When we look at this in the context of mental health, we could say that the stigma is when others see you in a negative way because of an illness. Discrimination occurs when you are treated differently, in a negative way because of the illness. Sometimes there is even self-stigma where the prejudice is against themselves.
It is possible that the stigma goes back as far as medieval times, where mental disorders were considered witchcraft and people were burned at the stake. In the 19th century people were institutionalised into asylums. Due to advances in psychiatry and medication, in the second half of the 20th century the Mental Health Act stopped people from being admitted to asylums.
It’s only therefore in the last 50 years or so, that the perceptions around mental health had any basis on which to change. By 1990 almost all asylums had closed and in 1998 the government announced that mental health was identified as one of three clinical priorities.
It’s a simple reality that the UK workplace continues to be impacted by the perception that mental illness is a weakness, a flaw or vulnerability meaning you are unable to perform at work. Statistical research is still showing that people taking time off due to stress are naming another reason. As many as 92% in one piece of research carried out by Deloitte said they thought it would harm their careers if disclosing a mental health issue.
One thing is for sure if we don’t admit to having problems it will remain stigmatised.
