Stigma and Benefit Reform

By manchesterusersnetwork on 3rd April 2014   Breaking News..., Featured News, Lead Article, Research studys, Welfare rights  

The study revealed stigma and discrimination to be the biggest barrier to employment identified by people with mental health conditions who had been offered or involved in employment support.

During in depth interviews people described discrimination in all areas of life. Stereotypes linking mental illness with violence are still strongly portrayed in the media.

‘People are scared because of all the things that the media tell them, that we go around stabbing people’. (Sol SUP)

People reported cases of discrimination by employers and employees or stories about this in the media.

‘..They sort of sidle away from you, a lot of people are very unfriendly when they find out you know’. (Chris SUP)

‘I’m scared they will find out. I hear them say ‘he’s psycho’ things like that, I just laugh but it makes me feel uncomfortable’. (Caroline SUP)