You can play a key role in ‘calling out’ the stigma and discrimination experienced by children, young people and their families.
Be You encourages you to challenge discriminatory behaviour so that it’s no longer ignored, expected or accepted.
What is stigma?
The stigma that exists between two groups of people is a result of either actual or perceived difference between any two groups of people. It can be any form of difference, including gender, race, religious belief, sexuality or mental health status.
The World Health Organization defines stigma as:
A mark of shame, disgrace or disapproval which results in an individual being rejected, discriminated against, and excluded from participating in a number of different areas of society.
Mental health and stigma
In a mental health context, stigma is ever-changing and multilayered. It occurs at three levels, that can translate into a range of barriers:
1. Structural
Societal-level conditions, cultural norms and institutional practices (including laws, regulations and policies) that restrict the opportunities, resources and wellbeing for the stigmatised populations. This is likely to result in discriminatory or unfair access to education, employment and treatment.
2. Social
Negative social norms which lead individuals to fear, reject or avoid and discriminate against people who are different. This is likely to lead to social exclusion because of negative stereotypes. Social stigma can be actual or perceived and be held by the stigmatiser and the stigmatised.
3. Self
Internalised negative stereotypes which lead a person to deny symptoms, reject treatment and isolate themselves from potentially valuable social supports. This can lead to poor self-esteem.
How can you reduce stigma?
There are many opportunities to change community understanding and perceptions related to mental health. By working through the Be You resources, you are supporting the reduction of negative social norms and stereotypes.
A key element in reducing stigma related to mental health is for everyone in a community to have a good understanding of mental health – that is, improving our mental health literacy.
If you’re concerned about the impact of discrimination on a child or young person, it’s important to act and follow your early learning service or school’s established policies and practices.
Want to better understand and reduce stigma? Explore our Include module, discuss the Mental Health Continuum with your team or reflect as an individual.