What is discrimination?

Stigma, discrimination and inclusion can seriously affect the health, welfare and quality of life of people with mental health problems.

They are also an extra burden to cope with for people already living with a mental health problem.

Stigma and discrimination:

• Isolate people
• Exclude people from day-to-day activities
• Stop people getting and keeping jobs
• Prevent people seeking help
• Have a negative impact on physical health
• Delay treatment and impair recovery

Mental health problems are still surrounded by ignorance, fear, and prejudice, despite the face that around one in four adults will experience them at some point in their lives.

How it affects everyday life

People with mental health problems are amongst the least likely of any group with a long-term health condition to:

• find work
• be in a steady, long-term relationship
• live in decent housing
• be socially included in mainstream society.

And research shows prejudice against these people is actually increasing, despite attitudes about sexuality, ethnicity and other similar issues improving.

The Stigma Shout survey carried out as part of Time to Change showed that almost nine out of ten people with mental health problems (87%) reported the negative impact of stigma and discrimination on their lives.

Find out more about how stigma and discrimination affect people’s lives