Career Chat // Workplace stigma // Friday, 12 Aug. 10am AEST

[Sehnsucht]

@Renstar, that is more my original line of thinking.

A statement would allow or make needed such a 'mentor'. And to address any type of margainalisation, not just MI.

[Former-Member]

Yes @Renstar I've often wondered how much denial goes down in legal, & medical profession's. I'm not either one of those so being privy to how conversation run's in such circles, i'd find pretty interesting. A lot to be said for people watching! There is always more than meets the eye!

[Renstar]

In terms of interventions, there are population based and employer based initiatives...

One recent review of stigma reduction programs both international and regional, commented that ' awareness or recognition does not necessarily equate to comprehension or understanding... '

Just because some interventions create awareness this doesn't mean that stigma is reduced because what underpins stigma is ignorance, differentiation also fear of the unknown ... this can't just be changed through mere 'awareness '.

There has to be understanding.

It's thought that ...

'Despite the possible benefits of widespread public campaigns, the low rates of awareness suggest that more targeted interventions (such as workplace interventions) might reach more people, albeit within a smaller subset of the population. '

The review demonstrated that programs that are targeted at reduction in stigma and discrimination towards people with mental disorders in the workplace are relatively few in number, and their evaluation status is mixed.

Many of the programs that exist have certain assumptions or values embedded within them. For example, many of the programs discuss mental disorders as forms of “illness” (biological/chemical imbalance model)

 It was believed this model would decrease stigma, and increase help-seeking and utilization of mental health services by people with mental disorders.

Some research has indeed found positive consequences of the biological/chemical imbalance model of mental disorders, such as

- increases for supporting treatment (Pescosolido et al., 2010) or

- reducing blame for causing the mental disorder (Deacon & Baird, 2009).

However, the biological model of mental disorders is also related to perceptions of poor recovery and the inefficacy of non-biological treatments, increased stigma and social distance and increased perceptions of dangerousness.

So there are pros and cons ...

All programs and initiatives should therefore be evaluated to determine whether or not the expected benefits are observed in practice, and/or whether or not the program works particularly well for certain individuals within the workplace.

As with all research there are more questions asked and then there are answers ...

But what does seem to be clear is that the evaluation of the initiative will be at the heart of what is ultimately done for those experiencing stigma in the workplace.

That is, there is no point in setting up inclusive initiatives or delivering workplace training or setting up mentors if in fact there is no reduction to stigma!

The challenge is to find what works in each particular workplace for each particular individual and context ... Some workplaces are more conducive to understanding mental health via programs and others have so much stigma embedded that great lengths would have to be taken to change the culture.

@Former-Member And @Sehnsucht 
Have you ever had the experience of being part of a workplace mental health education initiative?

Did it actually work? Did anybody care?

[Renstar]

@Sehnsucht Exactly, a statement would be ideal and a good place to set up initiatives such as mentoring or whatever else was needed .. Love to know what you do with this in the future ... I know this for sure - you're smart, passionate and would make a great advocate for your company!

@Former-Member do you think it's a case of blind leading the blind for medicos ... 

...  or how can you Provide legal sound advice if you're non compos mentis??? (Non compos mentis (latin) is the legal term meaning "not of sound mind") hehehe

No offence to  those from the medical and legal profession who don't stigmatise mental health issues!!! 

[Former-Member]

A good point @Renstar.
Besides a little healthy criticism is a good thing right?! 😁
In realness it would be reasonable to say to be in such profession's intelligence has to exist...so in all fairness, it's a bloody good point! 😁
@Sehnsucht there's something to be said for following what you are passionate about. You've got this for sure. Play hard, fight hard! It keeps our head's up when fighting a just cause.

[Renstar]

Just wanting to say a huge thank you to our contributors today and please continue on the forum as it goes until 4pm.

Thank you @Former-Member And @Sehnsucht  hope to hear from you again next week,  as I said excellent discussion, great contributions,  really learnt some stuff today

 Have a great weekend