How psychology is helping to reduce mental health stigma
07 October 2024
Nicola Heath, Psychology Subject Advisor
This blog post was first published by Leanne Greer in 2016 and has since been updated with up-to-date information.
For World Mental Heath Day, I’ll look at some of the myths and misconceptions that surround mental health issues, and how we can help reduce stigma and discrimination by raising awareness.
What is the mental health stigma?
As you may have seen in the news recently there has been an increase in raising awareness about mental health issues, but why, you may ask, is this occurring?
There are several myths and misconceptions surrounding the topic of mental health. This mostly because the general population do not fully understand mental health or have been given inaccurate information. This is one of the reasons why World Mental Health Day is a great way for media organisations and charities to shine a light on these issues and help raise awareness. It can be used to address the stigma, misconceptions and discrimination surrounding mental health.
Myths and misconceptions
Research from Time to Change found that a common misconception is that mental health problems are rare. However, 1 in 4 people experience a mental health problem. Approximately 792 million people worldwide have been affected by a mental health problem at some point during their lives, with 3 in every 100 people in England experiencing depression in any given week. Also, statistics have shown that 1 in 10 children experience a mental health issue.
These statistics show that mental health issues are not at all rare and yet many people with a mental health problem will experience some form of stigma or discrimination.
Why do people stigmatise others with a mental health problem?
Many incidences of stigma and discrimination that people face are due to myths and misconceptions. The majority are often reinforced by the media, the Mental Health Organisation found that the most common misconception is that individuals living with mental health are portrayed as dangerous, evil or unable to function normally in society; when in reality they are more than capable of living normal lives and the only danger they pose is to themselves and not those around them.
The majority of the public’s knowledge surrounding mental health is determined by the quality of the information published in the media. A piece of research titled The Media’s Impact on Public Perceptions of Mental Illness found that the media’s use of inaccurate and sensationalised portrayals tends to perpetuate myths, stereotypes and promote incorrect assumptions.
Do people really take the information published in the media seriously?
Surprisingly, yes they do. Many people still trust news media content over information provided by the government, despite polls suggesting trust in news media is declining. Many people also get information from unverified and unregulated social media sources, adding to levels of misinformation. However, despite the negatives it should be acknowledged that the media does not always get it completely wrong. It has also helped to raise awareness of mental health in popular soaps and dramas, encouraging people to seek help and support signposting them to the appropriate agencies. Time to Change has worked closely with writers to break stereotypes and introduce cover mental health issues more accurately.
So, what can be done to reduce stigma and discrimination?
One way to reduce mental health stigma and discrimination is by making the public more aware through conversations, campaigns and ongoing education. The same research from the Mental Health Organisation recognised that the most effective way to challenge the stigma and discrimination is through direct contact with the people experiencing mental health issues. Providing the public with the real facts about mental health helps to combat stigma and discrimination and effectively raises awareness.
Sadly, people still feel the topic of mental health can seem like a taboo subject of conversation, with fear of discrimination making them reluctant to discuss their own personal experiences, in comparison to just 20% who would have felt able to do so 10 years ago. However, this is changing: a survey carried out by Mind in 2024 concluded that 49% of individuals felt uncomfortable talking to their employer about their mental health, in comparison to 70% who felt comfortable talking to their friends and/or family.
How do we encourage others to talk about mental health?
Organisations and campaigns such as Mind, the Mental Health Foundation and the Time to Talk Day aim to raise awareness of mental health and change the way people think and act. They encourage people with a mental health issue to take action and challenge stigma and discrimination within their own communities, in the workplace, schools and online. As well as this, they help to improve attitudes and behaviour towards people living with mental health.
What’s the role of our psychology qualifications role in this?
Our A Level and GCSE specifications include clinical psychology studies and the issues surrounding mental health. Both qualifications provide students with informative background information and interesting research that they can then evaluate and apply to novel situations. They also enrich students with knowledge of mental health and support them to overcome and challenge the myths surrounding this topic area.
Our GCSE specification was developed in partnership with Time to Change. The specification has a focus on mental health, and aims to encourage greater awareness in young people therefore reducing instances of stigma and discrimination.
During the development of the GCSE, Time to Change had this to say:
“Time to Change is pleased to be working with OCR to update their GCSE (9–1) Psychology qualification. We hope this GCSE (9–1) Psychology qualification will inspire this generation to know more about mental health and find out what they can do to support their own mental health and that of their peers and help to create a future free from stigma and discrimination.”
Throughout the topic of ‘Psychological problems’ students are given an introduction to mental health. They learn about the significance of mental health over time, the effects stigma and discrimination can have on individuals before and after diagnosis, and how mental health can have an impact on the wider society as a whole.
Our refreshed A Level, planned for 2025 (subject to accreditation), has a compulsory and extended topic on ‘Mental Health’. During this, students are shown how mental health is diagnostically categorised and the difference between three different disorders (depression, phobias and schizophrenia).
Students are also encouraged to explore the stereotypes and racial bias that can occur when diagnosing different people with mental health disorders. They then look at the different sides of the nature/nurture debate, viewing mental health disorders and treatments through a medical and non-medical lens. Finally, students explore the fascinating future of mental health support, in particular how artificial intelligence and ‘chatbots’ can provide emergency and/or interim support for people as they are waiting for formal treatment from trained professionals.
To conclude
As you can see, through the study of OCR Psychology, students will learn some of the key facts and research behind mental health. This will hopefully encourage young people to understand and challenge the basis of myths and misconceptions, and also help others around them to understand the true nature of mental health.
If you would like to find out more about mental health and how you can help reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with it, please contact the Mental Health Organisation and the Time to Talk Day campaign.
Stay connected
Share your thoughts in the comments below. If you have any questions, you can email us at psychology@ocr.org.uk , call us on 01223 553998 or message us @OCR_Psychology. You can also sign up to subject updates to keep up-to-date with the latest news, updates and resources.
If you are considering teaching any of our qualifications, use our online form to let us know, so that we can help you with more information.
About the author
Nicola joined OCR in 2022 as the Subject Advisor for Psychology. Prior to joining OCR, she taught psychology for over 10 years and has had various other responsibilities in that time, including being Head of Year and Subject Leader for PSHE. Nicola has a personal interest in mental health and wellbeing and enjoys reading, baking and spending time outdoors to relax.
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