Attitudes and mental illness: consumers and the general public are on one side of the medal, mental health professionals on the other

Reply

“…The fact that differences between the professional groups in mental health teams exist is also pointed out by Lauber et al. (5) and found in our earlier study (6). In addition, we have recently completed a large social distance survey [Grausgruber, et al.…”

“…In conclusion, we would like to strongly reinforce Lauber et al.’s (5) concerns regarding the attitudes of mental health professionals of all sorts towards people suffering from mental illness. It appears that this issue needs to be confronted head on already during the respective educational curricula.…”

“…In their letter relating to our Editorial (1) and three recent Acta papers (2–4), Drs Lauber et al. (5) thoughtfully remind us that next to considering attitudes of patients and the lay public regarding mental illness, the views of mental health professionals play a crucial role in this context. The ambivalence that psychiatrists appear to have regarding their own field is perhaps most strikingly exemplified by a UK study, also kindly cited by Lauber et al .…”

“…The ambivalence that psychiatrists appear to have regarding their own field is perhaps most strikingly exemplified by a UK study, also kindly cited by Lauber et al . (5) in their correspondence, in which all interviewed psychiatrists strongly recommended the use of antipsychotic medication if a relative of theirs would suffer from schizophrenia, while only 71% of the same physicians, when questioned whether they themselves would take antipsychotics if afflicted with this disorder, reported a willingness to take antipsychotic medication (6).…”

Perceived and anticipated discrimination in people with mental illness—An interview study

“…Unemployment, income loss (2), not seeking care or delayed care (3) a limited social network (, 5), impaired self-esteem (6), isolation and loneliness have been associated with stigma and discrimination. Although the public may be the major source of stigma it has been pointed out that mental health staff also is exhibiting stigmatizing attitudes and discriminatory behaviour (7,8).…”