Fighting Stigma

[ForUs88]

Can anyone help or advise how to cope with social stigma around mental health (particularly within services) 

I have excessively been insulted and hurt for loving a man who has mental health issues and for having issues myself. Many despise us for having health issues but still love and support each other. To any normal person this is redicious and shouldn't even be a thing but it deeply is for a lot of people here and I'm sure sadly elsewhere too. 

Recently an unavoidable service has accused me of nastier things that are even more stupid and demining and it's effected us both. 

It all stems from stigma of mental health and the prejudice of this aforementioned service. 

Is there anything out there that supports those under siege

from stigma? 

[Appleblossom]

@ForUs88 It is a huge issue and I have struggled with it all my life. Sadly, despite some awareness and changes in media reporting, I experienced it seriously this month. I am supported now, and could cope better than in the past, but it is REAL. 

There are some responses among Mad Pride people, refusing to bow down in shame. There are some movements in the Disability community that advocate inclusion. Also there is the concept of SANISM, that emerged in the legal system in the states. 

At least you are not alone here. It’s an ongoing purpose for me to work against MH stigma.

take care. Its not easy.

[ForUs88]

@Appleblossom 

Yeah, I know it's sadly very very REAL and the more powerful the person, people or service that is causing the harm the harder it is to be safe or heard or believed. 

This particular factor has the power to harm very badly and get away with it all for stigma and the more society believes the nasty narratives of this service the worse it is for us to get any help, to find jobs, homes or even see each other at this time all because they believe the lies and because this service has supreme power and deep deep prejudices  about those with mental health issues PARTICULARLY if they are also in a relationship they will try to destroy that relationship and to do so they will abuse their power, and people, they'll lie to everyone and paint us in some truely demaging and disgusting light. 

This is our very lives at stake because of a service ment to protect just hates us for simply existing. It's all dreadful and yes no matter how many others like to pretend otherwise it is very very REAL. 

I just don't know how to get out of this alive, safe and overcome something that's left unchecked by anyone. This service act like God and are not questioned. I am deeply distressed and frightened. 

Like, I have the world on my back trying to save the Titanic with a band-aid! It's all nasty and unnecessary if people would not just keep believing everything this service tells people. So sad and maddening. 

[SmilingGecko]

Hello @ForUs88 unfortunately its very common amongst the healing professions. They reinforce the very inequities they are trying to save people from. I've received lots of stigma over the years and I don't think it will ever go away for our community very soon. I dont attend the MH services or see psychologists, social workers or shrinks. The ones I knew were very in it for themselves and were inconvenienced by the people they were offering 'therapeutic' support for. Don't know if this is your thing but I think the best decision I ever made was hopping along to the Theosophical Society Bookstore. I was able to make those key connections through book education and learning that changed my life for the better. That is what I have done and its seems to have worked in my favour to focus on self development which is more than any therapist offered me to begin with.

[AlwaysMyself]

Hi @ForUs88 ,

I dont have a way to change stigma that others hold - ultimately we cant change other perceptions or beliefs, but we can to things to: 

A) supportively educate those willing/want to be better understanding (the "well intent")

And 

B) be assertive in a professional way to services/employees that are discriminating or biased.

Its a workplace management book, but I believe some of the strategies in it can be transferred to how we talk to people in our personal lives, and especially when it comes to dealing with services - because they have a legal obligation not to discriminate. The book is called "Just Work" by Kim Scott. 

This is an image from her book, which is handy as a reminder of good ways to handle (address) different types of bias/discrimination from others.

 

In your case, I would refer to the organisation/service's Code of Conduct and your expectation of them to meet it. Also the anti-discrimination laws if they are actually breaking those too.

I would also advise you to write down a summary of your interpretation of what they have said and the reasons they have given (especially those you feel are discriminatory biased based on stigma) and ask them (also as written confirmation) that this is a correct summary.

It gives them a change to change what they have said (which may be less discriminatory and thus a better outcome for you), or they acknowledge that is what was intent - which gives you evidence to submit then to the organisation for review/appeal/complaint if it is discriminatory.

If you'd like more info about this method and/or support in how to write something like that and finding out where to sent it to, just let me know (tag me). 

This is based on not just management practice study, but also advice given to me by a Human Rights Commission Claims mediator earlier this year.

[ForUs88]

@AlwaysMyself 

Thank you but it has gone far beyond a misunderstanding or misinterpretation and they will never change or admit ownership this is so bad they are willing to assault and S abuse witnesses to attempt to silence them. It's real bad unfortunately. There is no misinterpreting SA. It's very clear

Thanks for the resources though I'll look into it.

[AlwaysMyself]

Oh, wow. That sounds pretty severe @ForUs88 .

If there is ongoing abuse and threats to witnesses, are you able to speak to a police about it? (Hoping it is not a police person perpetrating it?)

Is there a local organisation that you can talk to that may be able to help provide support or advocacy for you?

E.g. any of https://www.health.gov.au/topics/family-domestic-and-sexual-violence/support 

Sorry that without understanding the situation its hard to give more tailored advice. 

[ForUs88]

@SmilingGecko 

Thanks yes I agree books are an immense help however for me the only book for this situation is the life of Ned Kelly and that didn't end happily. I have yet to find any resources yet that tackle the same situation without grisly ends. 

The self improvement is good too. I am also keen to learn all sorts of things but until my real family is free and safe I need to tackle this issue first. Yes, I know it's unlikely to change especially with this service as they haven't changed since Ned Kelly's time. They clearly are not going to now but it's less about noticeable radical change and more about getting my family out from under them. 

An equally tough goal but a vital one. 

Thanks for the comment.

[AlwaysMyself]

@ForUs88 i just looked back at your post history on you account, and now I see what the context is. I have read your other thread before re: boyfriend accused, and assume this is related to that?

[ForUs88]

@AlwaysMyself

Yep. It's been uncovered as to why this happened and the why is stigma. (and prejudices)