In this video for Rooted in Rights, Johnny and Megan discuss their experiences with behavioral health human rights violations and how these experiences inspired them to become advocates. They challenge the distorted perceptions around mental health and criminalization, recognizing that a lack of available services often result in the incarceration of people experiencing behavioral health crises.
Buzzfeed news takes an in-depth look into the Missouri foster care system’s failures to provide well-managed psychiatric care to children within the system. The article states that “this mirrors a national trend: Children in foster care are at least twice as likely to be taking these powerful drugs than kids outside the system, according to an analysis of Medicaid data.” While many explanations are provided, the double stigma of trauma and behavioral health plays a major factor in these human rights violations.
The Huffington Post delves into the United States eugenics movement and how it targeted the so-called “mentally ill” or “mentally deficient” during the twentieth century. By forcibly sterilizing patients within psychiatric care the state sent the message that reproduction within this group was harmful and in need of control. The stigma of this movement remains today in the distorted perceptions of consumers of behavioral health and their parental abilities.
Leading patients’ rights advocate Judi Chamberlin reflects on her career as a crusader for changes within the behavioral health system. The interview takes place shortly after she entered hospice care for an incurable lung disease. In it, Chamberlin draws attention to the strengths of the hospice care system and how those principles can be carried over to the creation of patient-centered, self-directed behavioral healthcare system that acknowledges the respect and dignity of human life.
Facing a global human rights emergency in mental health, the World Health Organization (WHO) has outlined strategies for effective change, utilizing the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as a framework. While this article is written for a global perspective, it can be a key starting point for individuals or organizations drafting a strategy for fighting the impact of stigma on human rights.
This article explores the global crisis of human rights violations within mental health care and the interdependence of mental health and human rights. Across the globe, stigma and discrimination are identified as major barriers to accessing treatment, quality of treatment, and funding mental health. Click “read more” to access some of our favorite quotes, or click the title to access the full article from the American Psychological Association for more information on these issues and the APA’s proposed solutions.
There is a very good chance that you know someone who has an invisible illness, whether physical, mental, or both. This person may be a friend, partner, colleague, employer, teacher, or healthcare provider. Regardless of your relationship or their diagnosis, people with invisible illnesses need your support and respect. To help end the stigma, consider the following…
This issue brief from the Illinois Institute of Technology examines research on how stigma impacts adults with serious mental illness and how these experiences are different for individuals who are experiencing first episode psychosis. Click Read More to see some of our favorite quotes or click the title to access the full report from SAMHSA.
In this video for Time to Change, Stephen shares about his experiences living with schizophrenia. “My condition fluctuates- today I'm feeling quite well, but other days I don't feel quite well. I've lived with this diagnosis over 30 years. It's not a nice thing to have to live with, but I've managed it.”
In an article for the NAMI blog, Gretchen Grappone talks about her personal journey with depression, including 10 years on Social Security Disability, unhelpful attitudes from health professionals, and completing her MSW by rejecting stigma. In response to the seeing the harmful effects of stigma in her own life and the lives of her clients, Grappone has developed a stigma-reduction training curriculum for health care providers called “Overcoming Stigma.” Click the title to learn more about her personal story, the 7 types of stigma, and examples from the curriculum.
