Sacramento Launches Mental Health Promotion

Project to Reduce Stigma and Discrimination

Mary Ann Bennett, Deputy Director Sacramento County Division of Behavioral Health Services
When the issues of discrimination and stigma are discussed, it is generally in the context of race, gender, sex or age. Rarely is there a correlation to mental health. The numbers tell a different story. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in any given year, roughly one in every four adults will experience a diagnosable mental health disorder, and nearly one out of every five children will experience some degree of an emotional or behavioral difficulty. Even though its a common occurrence, stigma and discrimination against persons living with mental illness and emotional disturbance are widespread and reach all facets of society. Mental illness affects every ethnic, racial, cultural, economic and religious group and impacts individuals of all ages and genders. In Sacramento County alone, it is estimated that nearly 355,000 residents are living with a mental illness, but research shows that only one-third of those individuals will seek professional help because of the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness. According to a report by the California State Department of Mental Health, the California Strategic Plan on Reducing Mental Health Stigma and Discrimination, stigma is defined as: attitudes and beliefs that lead people to reject, avoid, or fear those they perceive as being different. Discrimination occurs when people and entities act upon these attitudes and beliefs in ways that can deprive others of their rights and life opportunities. People living with mental illness and emotional disturbance can experience discrimination in employment, education and housing. Common misconceptions about mental illness range from perceiving all individuals with mental illness to be dangerous or violent to labeling mental illness as untreatable. And too often, representations of mental illness in the media can be hurtful and inaccurate, and feed rather than fight the stigma surrounding mental illness. The discrimination that surrounds mental illness and emotional disturbance can result in despair, prejudice and hopelessness. Just as harmful as societal stigma, self-stigma is estimated to deter between 50 and 60 percent of individuals living with mental illness from seeking treatment, which can lead to serious consequences. According to a landmark 1999 United States Surgeon General Report, Stigma is the most formidable obstacle to progress in the arena of mental illness and health. People with mental health challenges often remark how stigma and discrimination against them can be even worse than their mental health condition. As part of its Mental Health Services Act initiative, the Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health Services will launch countywide efforts, with tailored messaging, to fundamentally alter negative attitudes and perceptions about mental illness and emotional disturbance. This work will underscore that mental health issues are not taboo and will promote resources and community supports available throughout the County to foster hope and recovery. We are working with a comprehensive group of area stakeholders and an array of multicultural communities to help tell the real-life stories of individuals and families living with a mental illness or serious emotional disturbance. By promoting positive beliefs and attitudes about living with mental illness or serious emotional disturbance, the campaign will dispel harmful myths and stereotypes as it fosters hope, resiliency and recovery. Through the campaign well work to facilitate an ongoing discussion with the community regarding their thoughts, concerns, questions and messages of hope related to mental health issues. By changing attitudes and beliefs toward persons living with mental illnesses, we want to eliminate barriers to achieving full inclusion in society, promote help-seeking behavior, and increase access to services to support individuals and families. If successful, not only will we have helped prevent future discrimination against those with mental health issues, but also created an environment where families arent afraid to discuss mood or anxiety disorders, and more than one third of individuals will make the phone call or walk through the clinic door to explore treatment. For more information about resources and services available in Sacramento County please call 2-1-1, TTY, (916) 446-1434.