Stigma in Mental Health: Clients and Professionals

Abstract

Stigmatising attitudes are not uncommon among mental health professionals who may be less than optimistic about outcomes for people with long-term mental health problems. These perceptions are probably related to the professionals’ experiences, such as those working in the public sector dealing with clients in the most disturbed phases of mental illness. We provide an overview of stigma and some contemporary stigma conceptualisations and then explore some stigma-reducing strategies for mental health professionals. The way that mental health professionals work with patients can have an important effect on their recovery.