Mental illness-related stigma in healthcare: Barriers to access and care and evidence-based solutions

Healthc Manage Forum. 2017 Mar;30(2):111-116. doi: 10.1177/0840470416679413. Epub 2017 Feb 16.

Abstract

Mental illness-related stigma, including that which exists in the healthcare system and among healthcare providers, creates serious barriers to access and quality care. It is also a major concern for healthcare practitioners themselves, both as a workplace culture issue and as a barrier for help seeking. This article provides an overview of the main barriers to access and quality care created by stigmatization in healthcare, a consideration of contributing factors, and a summary of Canadian-based research into promising practices and approaches to combatting stigma in healthcare environments.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Evidence-Based Practice
  • Health Personnel / education
  • Health Personnel / psychology
  • Health Services Accessibility / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Mental Disorders / therapy*
  • Organizational Culture
  • Quality of Health Care / organization & administration
  • Stereotyping*