Topic 3 Consequences of mental health stigma
Overall, mental health stigma can have the following consequences (Newport Academy, 2022):
- Social exclusion and isolation
- Decreased self-esteem
- Discrimination / Bullying (Physical or verbal)
- Lack of a supportive community
- Difficulty finding education or employment opportunities: Individuals with mental health problems have much lower rates of employment than the general population.
- Limited access to quality healthcare
- Self-destructive behaviour (including overconsumption of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco, self-harm, eating disorders, substance abuse)
- Social media addiction / Cyberbullying
- Overall health impact (increase of the risk of chronic diseases and poor health)
Manago (2015, 2) states that “[…] stigma not only results in social consequences such as isolation and status loss, but it also has direct consequences for education, health, and life expectancy. For example, research shows that both stigma and how individuals interact with their stigmatising environments contribute to reduced educational opportunities for children with behavioural or social problems.”
Moreover, self-stigma can have catastrophic consequences since it can “deter individuals from seeking help from medical professionals, decrease adherence with prescribed treatments, and reduce life goals, self-esteem, and self-efficacy (ibid.).
