World Mental Health Day 2020 — addressing stigma and discrimination to achieve Mental Health for All

Stigma contributes to poor mental health outcomes worldwide,¹ and is a major factor preventing effective management of mental health disorders and promotion of mental wellbeing.²

Stigma is a widespread societal challenge

A false belief

Stigma commonly arises from a belief that individuals with mental health disorders — for instance those with bipolar disorder, alcohol and drug use disorders and schizophrenia — are dangerous to themselves and others.³

But evidence does not support this. In fact, research supports that people with mental health disorders who are stable on treatment are no more violent than the general population.⁴ Furthermore, people with serious mental health disorders are eleven times more likely than the general population to be a victim of a violent crime.⁵

Consequences of stigma

Stigma has an adverse effect on investment in mental health services

Stigma is a major cause of discrimination and social exclusion.²

A review of the treatment of people with mental health disorders in low-income and middle-income countries showed widespread human rights violations including basic civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights.⁶

As a result, stigma creates an additional burden for people living with mental health disorders,⁷ adversely affecting their self-esteem and family relationships, and limiting their ability to socialize and obtain housing and jobs.²

Stigma also leads to discrimination affecting investment in mental health services.^1,2

Interventions to address and alleviate stigma

Public awareness campaigns that include personal testimonies are particularly effective⁶

The WHO’s European Mental Health Action Plan² is a three-pronged strategy to improve mental health outcomes by:

• improving the mental health wellbeing of the population
• respecting the rights of people with mental health disorders and offering equitable opportunities to attain the highest quality of life
• establishing accessible, safe and effective services that meet people’s mental, physical and social needs and expectations

Other interventions to improve outcomes include:

• increased use of mental health technologies to provide access to services for people who might be reluctant to seek or engage with services because of stigma¹
• public awareness and education campaigns that normalize the experiences of those with mental health disorders^1,6

Campaigns may involve advocacy groups, government and public institutions, and global, regional and local community stakeholders, and are particularly effective when they include personal testimonies from people who have a mental health disorder.⁶