Mental Heath Stigma and Sanism

Understanding Mental Health Stigma

Stigma is a social process involving negative stereotypes, prejudicial attitudes, and discrimination toward individuals with mental illnesses.

Stereotypes:

Negative beliefs about people with mental illnesses, such as assumptions of dangerousness or incompetence

Prejudice

Negative emotional reactions and attitudes towards individuals based on stigmatized group membership

Discrimination:

Behavioral responses that exclude, avoid, disadvantage, or dehumanize people with mental illnesses

Pryor & Reeder’s Four Types of Stigma: Public Stigma

Negative societal beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors toward stigmatized individuals

Pryor & Reeder’s Four Types of Stigma: Self-Stigma

Internalization of negative stereotypes about ones own mental illness

Pryor & Reeder’s Four Types of Stigma: Stigma by Association

Devaluation experienced by family members and other close associates

Pryor & Reeder’s Four Types of Stigma: Structural Stigma

Institutional policies and practice s that limit participation opportunities

Labeling & Normalization Theories of Stigma: Labeling Theory

Individual with social authority define behaviors as deviant assigning labels that separate people from accepted social norms

Labeling & Normalization Theories of Stigma: Normalization Theory

Social exclusion is reinforced by stigmatizing labels; interventions focus on inclusive environments and opportunities to develop valued social roles

Understanding Sanism:

Sanism is systemic and systematic discrimination and oppression directed toward people diagnosed with or perceived to have, mental differences or emotional distress.

• Positions people perceived as mentally ill as inferior

• Reinforces inequities through social institutions and practices

• Intersects with other forms of structural oppression

The Four I’s of Oppression: Ideological Oppression

Societal beliefs that people with mental illnesses are inferior

The Four I’s of Oppression: Institutional Oppression

Discriminatory laws, policies, and organizational practices

The Four I’s of Oppression: Interpersonal Oppression

Bias an exclusion within personal relationships

The Four I’s of Oppression: Internalized Oppression

Adoption of negative societal beliefs about oneself.

Anti-Stigma Interventions by Type of Stigma: Structural Stigma

Policy advocacy and awareness of occupational injustices address institutional discrimination

Anti-Stigma Interventions by Type of Stigma: Public Stigma

Education, social contact, advocacy, and positive media representation help challenge stigmatizing attitudes.

Anti-Stigma Interventions by Type of Stigma: Self-Stigma

Coping skills, peer support, and positive identity development address internalized stereotypes

OT Interventions Addressing Stigma: Identify Participation Restrictions

Explore stigma-related barriers to employment, education, relationships, and community engagement.

OT Interventions Addressing Stigma: Support Valued Roles

Set graded goals for worker, student, family, and community roles

OT Interventions Addressing Stigma: Facilitate Social Participation

Practice communication and self-advocacy during meaningful activities in natural settings

OT Interventions Addressing Stigma: Address Self-Stigma

Use strengths identification, peer support, and successful occupaitonal experiences

OT Interventions Addressing Stigma: Modify Exclusionary Environments

Work with clients and community partners to improve inclusion

OT Interventions Addressing Stigma: Support client-directed disclosure

Explore disclosure choices and practice communication while respecting privacy and autonomy