Understanding mental health stigma and discrimination and its impact

Back

Spotlight on learning from local partner Moray Wellbeing Hub

The content displayed on this page was produced by Moray Wellbeing Hub and describes their reflections, experiences and learning over the years about lived experience leadership in driving change in healthcare / mental health services.

Visit Moray Wellbeing Hub

Here we provide key definitions, before getting into the ins and outs of stigma and discrimination.

It is helpful to have an understanding of what mental health stigma and discrimination looks like and its impact, as well as how you can challenge it when it happens. Let’s start by looking at some definitions, before getting into the ins and outs of stigma and discrimination.

According to WHO (World Health Organisation) ‘mental health’ is a basic human right, and defines ‘mental health’ as a state of mental wellbeing that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It is an integral component of health and wellbeing that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in. However, it is worth noting that there is no universally agreed definition of ‘mental health’, so it is always important to take communities and individuals’ own views into account when referring to mental health.