Mental illness. Anti-discrimination education

Abstract

Thesis. People with mental illness are a group particularly vulnerable to violation of their rights and stigmatization. Studies show that our society is still dominated by reluctant attitudes towards people experiencing psychological problems, which has many negative consequences. Anti-discrimination education can reduce reluctant social attitudes.

Concept discussed. The effects of stigmatization are the loss or inability to take up a job, which in consequence may lead to poverty. Stigmatization is also an obstacle to the recovery of people who are ill. It may be the cause of rejection from the family, and may even lead to suicide attempts. This is despite anti-discrimination and destigmatization activities.

Results and conclusions. More anti-discrimination measures should be introduced for people suffer from mental illness, aimed at pupils, students and society as a whole. These initiatives should involve, where possible, people experiencing mental health problems.

Originality. The stigmatization of people suffering from mental illness is a common phenomenon, and it is also an area of interest for many researchers. However, there are still too few analyses which would investigate anti-discrimination activities and develop recommendations in this area being undertaken.