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Listen

Well? Issue 4: Spring/Summer 2004

Challenging Stigma

'see me' to target outdated attitudes

A new phase of the "see me" national anti-stigma and discrimination campaign began last October, focusing on the difficulties and dilemmas facing individuals when talking about mental health problems to family, friends and colleagues. The TV and poster campaign also reflected the anxiety and uncertainty felt by those close to someone who reveals a mental health problem.

Other elements of the campaign, such as Stigma Stop Watch, the website, press features and work in local areas, are all still important ongoing activities which have generated support for "see me" across the country.

Although the campaign is currently developing two distinct strands, one to target young people and the other aimed at getting the anti-stigma message into workplaces, stigma and older people is a theme that will be addressed in future, according to Linda Dunion, campaign director:

"In the street surveys carried out by 'see me' in 2002, older people's attitudes came out worse than any other group and there was an obvious reluctance from people over 55, but mainly over 65, to answer any questions once they realised it was about mental health. This speaks volumes, and demonstrates how some of the older generation who were brought up in a climate of 'pull yourself together' are unable to accept that there might be a problem and speak openly about it.

"So it's no surprise that self-stigmatising prevents individuals seeking help and that depression, in particular, is under-diagnosed in older people.

"The other area where older people's attitudes can create difficulties is within the family, when negative or outdated attitudes still prevail from parents or parents-in-law towards younger members of the family who might have mental health problems."

For further information contact
"see me"
t: 0131 624 8945
www.seemescotland.org

A project manager working with older people in West Lothian makes some personal observations on stigma and mental health in later life.

"As I look back over 30 years of social work, I wonder if society's understanding of mental illness has improved. Examples of stigmatisation can still be seen in hospitals where a patient might be referred to as 'the dementia in room two,' or 'the old dear is senile.' But every person, irrespective of mental illness or age, should be treated with respect as a valued individual.

"I often hear carers say they were frightened to tell others if a relative or friend is diagnosed with mental ill health and it's common for people to leave things until they can no longer cope. Sometimes it's because they feel it's their duty to deal with the situation themselves, sometimes it's because they're ashamed of admitting that their partner or parent has an illness, and sometimes it's for fear that the patient will be locked up in a mental institution.

"It's not the first time that a relative has told me that the patient has made them promise not to, 'put them away,' words which fortunately we don't hear much of nowadays. But I do hear older people refer to the 'Poor's House' and 'asylum', words which remain in their memories from the days of their parents or grandparents. It's very difficult to persuade older people that things are different today.

"A woman referred to a support group following a stroke, with subsequent loss of concentration and short-term memory, was reluctant to join because, at 66, she didn't wish to be seen as 'old' and in need of the service. She was already annoyed with her family interfering and making her feel useless. She finally agreed to come along if she could be recognised as a 'helper' as opposed to a 'member'. She's still very conscious of the potential stigma but, importantly, has rediscovered her self worth and value as a person.

"The subject of stigma relating to mental health problems in later life will continue to raise many questions and dilemmas for years to come, but I believe that the issue can be tackled by educating the public, including school children, dispelling age old myths, and preparing the next generation of older people by involving them now in volunteering and in planning their retirement."

Challenging Stigma in Greater Easterhouse... and Inverclyde

Positive Mental Attitudes is a locally-based project in Greater Easterhouse in Glasgow, which aims to address the stigma surrounding mental ill-health by working with mental health service users and local groups.

Service users play a key role in the planning and delivery of a range of innovative approaches

The initiative, which last year won the Pride of Glasgow Community Health Awards, was officially launched in 2002 and was generated by a group of local people who had experienced harassment and negative attitudes from people in the community.

Service users play a key role in the planning and delivery of a range of exciting and innovative approaches to tackling mental health problems and the initiative has now developed training events for over 250 public sector staff, seminars for a range of local employers and ongoing work within three local schools, together with the development of a website, newsletter and community directory. A short film Stigma was also produced which received its first public screening at the Glasgow Film Theatre and is now being used at training events and with local community groups. The project has also worked on an art and writing exhibition to communicate ideas on stigma to the wider community.

Project co-ordinator, Neil Quinn, is enthusiastic about the next steps for the project: "We're currently meeting with mental health service user groups throughout Greater Easterhouse to generate new ideas. As a result of this we'll be extending our public sector training programme and work in schools, and supporting employers in developing mental health policies. We also have exciting new ideas for extending our media work and developing drama as a means of challenging stigma."

Neil Quinn
t: 0141 232 7200
e:mail@positivementalattitudes.org.uk
www.positivementalattitudes.org.uk

Challenging Stigma in Inverclyde

Fortunately, there are signs that attitudes towards mental illness are changing for the better. Members of the Inverclyde Community Forum were asked "What do you think should happen to people with mental health problems or mental illness?" Here are some of the responses:

"People with mental illness should be taken care of just like anyone else with an illness. They really need help and understanding."

"They need assistance to defeat the problem and recover with help and reassurance from their family."

"Training should be available to help people understand mental illness. This training should be free."

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