Mental Illness: Stigma, Shame And Discrimination

Ms J is a 27-year-old marketing manager at a local media company.

- Dr Gurdeep Grewal

Having recently been diagnosed with diabetes, facing immense stress at work and a failed relationship, she became severely depressed and anxious. Her close friend eventually brought her to see a psychiatrist, and she was started on medications and given 10 days of sick leave. A few weeks after her return to work, she noticed that her colleagues were treating her differently. Some were avoiding her altogether. Three months later, at her annual appraisal meeting with her superior, she was told that her promotion was denied on account of her “poor mental health and inability to deal with work pressure”. She resigned soon after and sought employment elsewhere.

The scenario highlighted above is more common than you think. In my practice, I have had patients who opt to use their annual leave to come for their appointments, as they do not wish to have “Consultant Psychiatrist” stamped on their medical certificate. I know of patients who were “let go” or not had contracts renewed because of this. The stigma and discrimination are real.

Some countries have made great strides in minimising the stigma associated with psychiatric illnesses through public education, legislation and the emergence of large advocacy groups. However, such stigma is still a universal problem. There is just way too much misinformation about mental illnesses; the media and popular culture continue to portray mental illnesses in a negative light. Sadly, even within the medical profession, the stigma persists.