Stigma and Discrimination

Jan 4, 2023

About one in five people—over six and a half million Canadians—experience a mental illness or substance use problem in their lifetime. Unfortunately, many people don’t ask for help because they feel ashamed or scared. People may judge them and treat them negatively based on a mental health or substance use problem. Others have trouble finding a place to live, finding a job, maintaining relationships and other important parts of life. In fact, most people living with a mental illness say that stigma is worse than the symptoms they feel.

On this page:

Stigma originally meant a physical mark of shame. Now, it’s an invisible mark that sets you apart from others. The problem with the word ‘stigma’ is that it puts the focus on the person’s difference instead of on the people who are setting them apart. Using the word stigma makes it seem different than racism, homophobia or sexism. It isn’t. So it’s time to talk about stigma for what it really is: prejudice and discrimination. Prejudice is holding negative attitudes or beliefs about people who are viewed as different. Discrimination is acting on these ideas or beliefs.

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“Layers” of stigma

Many people don’t experience stigma for just one reason. They may experience discrimination based on many different prejudices, like sexual orientation, gender, culture or physical disability. Discrimination itself can lead to mental health or substance use problems. And people who already face discrimination for any reason may be even less able to find help for mental health or substance use problems or less able to find services that meet their needs.

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How bad is it?

Research shows that over half of people living with mental illnesses said that they were embarrassed about their health problems, and over half felt like they had experienced discrimination. In one recent Canadian study, researchers found that:

Just under half of Canadians thought that a mental illness was just an excuse for poor behaviour
Only about one in three Canadians would continue to be friends with someone with an alcohol use problem
Only about one in four would continue to be friends with someone with a drug use problem

Causes and effects of discrimination

Many factors lead to discrimination. Major examples include:

Fear: Such as the fear of violence and the fear of the issues themselves because they affect our mind and behaviour. Some fears may be reinforced in the media
Untrue beliefs: Such as the belief that people can’t recover or the belief that people can’t participate in their communities
Blame and self-blame: People may be blamed for their conditions or problem substance use and viewed as weak. People with mental illnesses or substance use problems, and their loved ones, may also deeply blame themselves

Discrimination affects all areas of living. It can prevent people from getting or having basic things that most of us take for granted, like:

Getting hired, promoted or keeping a job
Finding or keeping a place to live in a safe, accepting community
Getting proper health careFeeling loved, needed and accepted by family and friends
Contributing to communities and feeling productive
Getting insurance
Going to schoolImmigrating to another country
Feeling positive about ourselves
Discrimination may also affect families and friends. Others may dismiss their concerns. In many cultures, the entire family carries their loved one’s stigma because they strongly identify as a group. As a result, family members may not confide in friends or others in their support network.

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What can we do about it?

Discrimination around mental health and substance use is a human rights issue. Human rights are rights and freedoms that all people should have. The United Nations says that, “All persons with a mental illness … shall be treated with humanity and respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.” This respect and dignity is a freedom that should not be taken away by. It’s also a basic human right for all people with mental health and substance use problems, no matter where they live. Everyone has the right to live without discrimination of any kind. This includes discrimination based on a mental health or substance use problem.

But when we talk about discrimination, human rights laws meant to protect people from discrimination are only part of the solution. For these laws to really work and protect people, everyone has to embrace the spirit and intent of the laws.

Health is about more than not having a disease or health problem. Health and well-being include things like human rights, community connections and access to opportunities. Discrimination promotes poor well-being because it denies human rights, prevents connections among community members and creates unequal access. When we support human rights and help everyone take part in our communities, we’re also countering discrimination—and improving people’s well-being. Here are some things we can do:

Address differences that prevent people from taking part in communities: Poverty, lack of affordable housing, lack of education opportunities and lack of meaningful work are a few of the social factors that affect well-being. These factors may be both a result of poor health and a cause of poor health. Addressing these inequalities among community members is good for both individuals and the community as a whole. We can challenge systems that create differences by encouraging our governments to form positive social policies and laws. We can also support people in our communities who are working to reduce differences.

Support everyone’s right to work: It’s no wonder that the right to employment is identified as a human right by the United Nations. Work gives us purpose and meaning. It’s also tied to income, which is tied to other social factors. For example, if we have a good income, we can afford better housing and access more services. While full-time work may not be everyone’s goal, we need to support people who want to find purpose and meaning through work. To do this, we need to make sure people have access to training, education or other workplace programs.

Promote direct personal contact: Meeting and interacting with people with mental health or substance use problems is one of the best ways to improve attitudes and behaviours. This works best when the people meeting each other have equal status, when there can be discussion, and when the presenters with personal experiences can counter major myths. Education efforts like this fact sheet can help us understand the challenges, but they don’t change attitudes.

Look at mental health and substance use problems as a part of our shared humanity: Fear, prejudice and discrimination lessen when we talk about mental health problems as an understandable response to a unique set of circumstances—not just as biological problems.

Help people be heard: We need to encourage and empower people with experiences of mental health or substance use problems to be leaders in any efforts, such as anti-stigma programs and research. This includes supporting people and connecting them with peers. When people relate to each other’s struggles and want to see changes, they’re more likely to share their stories and protest when they see injustice.

Help media be a force for good: Media like TV, movies, newspapers and web sites influence how we see others. Media should be encouraged to show people for who they really are—capable and productive community members. Hearing the direct voice of people with mental health and substance use problems through the media can be incredibly powerful. And we need to challenge media that discriminates against a group of people.

5 small ways I can make a difference

Tell someone who doesn’t know my story of mental health or substance use problems, or help others tell their story
Seek direct contact by volunteering for a mental health or addictions organization, or find personal stories of recovery
Think about the words I use. Do I use people-centered language like, “A person living with…” or do I say, “A schizophrenic” or, “An alcoholic?”Think about how I personally support and treat people around me who are living with a mental health or substance use problem
Speak up when I see discrimination or when I see a law or policy that unfairly excludes people

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Where do I go from here?

For more information about mental health and substance use issues, see the resources below:

BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information
Visit www.heretohelp.bc.ca. You can read many different personal stories written by people living with a mental illness or substance use problem. You can also find fact sheets to help you get help for mental health problems and substance use problems.

Mental Health Commission of Canada’s Opening Minds Campaign
Opening Minds is a ten-year anti-stigma campaign. It helps organizations across Canada create programs that counter stigma and discrimination around mental health. For more information, visit
www.mentalhealthcommission.ca

The WHO Resource Book on Mental Health, Human Rights and Legislation, World Health Organization
Mental well-being is a human rights issue, and laws can help protect people and promote well-being. The WHO Resource Book on Mental Health, Human Rights and Legislation describes the human rights approach to mental health and discusses the role of laws in protecting people and promoting health. To read this resource, visit www.who.int/mental_health.

BC Human Rights Tribunal

There are laws to protect you from discrimination or unfair treatment based on a mental illness or substance use problem. In BC, they are part of the Human Rights Code. If you feel that someone has violated your rights under the Human Rights Code, you may be able to take action. For more information, visit www.bchrt.gov.bc.ca. You can also talk to representative at 1-888-440-8844 (in BC) or 604-775-2000 (in Greater Vancouver).

© 2014

This info sheet was prepared by CMHA BC Division on behalf of the BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information and HeretoHelp. Funding was provided by BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority. For more resources visit HeretoHelp.bc.ca.

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