Stigma and Discrimination

Mental health has often been, and in many places remains, a health topic that is not well understood. In societies and even in law in some countries, people with mental health needs are discriminated against in terms of their right to work, to vote, to hold public office, to raise a family and to access health services. 

Media-fuelled stigma and discrimination against people with mental health conditions is a global human rights crisis, according to a 2022 Lancet Commission report. The study reveals that 70% of people with mental health conditions feel the media perpetuates stigma and discrimination, using stigmatising language and simplistically or inaccurately linking mental health conditions with violence. This causes further damage to people’s mental health and, at worst, contributes to suicidal behaviour.

Our Approach

We all have a duty to try to educate ourselves and understand how to tackle misinformation and support people with their mental health. 

UnitedGMH works to:

  • Persuade governments to educate their citizens about mental health and update their laws and policies in line with international human rights. See our work on deinstitutionalisation and suicide decriminalisation.
  • Highlight the work of partner organisations running public education campaigns and working with people experiencing discrimination. See our role as secretariat for the Global Mental Health Action Network and the Stigma and Discrimination working group.
  • Educate the media on how to report responsibly about mental health. 


Educating the Media

The World Health Organisation (WHO) resource on suicide prevention highlights that vulnerable people are at risk of engaging in imitative behaviour following media reports on suicide. This risk is heightened if the coverage is extensive, prominent, sensational, or explicitly describes suicide methods, and repeats widely held myths about suicide. 

On the other hand, responsible reporting and positive stories about people in adverse circumstances seeking help can: 

  • help educate the public about suicide and its prevention
  • encourage people at risk of suicide to seek help
  • inspire a more open and hopeful dialogue about mental health in general


United for Global Mental Health aims to:


Our approach

We work with journalists and journalist networks around the world to encourage responsible reporting on mental health. 


Working Group on Stigma and Discrimination

Since 2024, through our role as secretariat of the Global Mental Health Action Network, we have helped form a global Working Group on Stigma and Discrimination. The Group has been established to foster knowledge sharing among members about proven strategies to combat mental health-related stigma and discrimination. The primary objective of this initiative is to empower members to challenge these issues within their respective communities and contribute to worldwide efforts, particularly in low-resource settings. Learn more here.

Resources

1. Lancet Commission’s study on ending stigma and discrimination in mental health
2. Media manifesto to end mental health stigma and discrimination
3. WHO 2023 media guidelines for suicide prevention
4. 2024 Lancet article exploring the perspectives of people with lived experience and how they can be part of reducing stigma and discrimination.

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