How do mental health professionals see people with mental illness: A review of the literature

What is it about?

Research indicates that mental health professionals stigmatize mental illness by endorsing negative stereotypes, emotions, and behaviors. However, studies on this topic are relatively new and little is known about the current state of this research. Accordingly, a literature review was performed on the stigmatization of mental illness by mental health professionals with the aim of exploring how research is conducted and whether there are gaps in the literature. Studies were identified through several electronic databases (i.e., PsycINFO, Embase, Medline, Scopus) and a range of other sources (e.g., Google Scholar, literature reviews). It was found that the research is characterized by a number of limitations. Among other limitations, there was a lack of studies on the relative stigma of mental illness (i.e., the degree to which mental disorders are stigmatized compared to other mental disorders) and how stereotypes, emotions, and behaviors relate to each other. It was also found that a large proportion of the research was not connected by references. Future studies will need to address these limitations in order for the field to progress.

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Photo by Julia Taubitz on Unsplash

Photo by Julia Taubitz on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Stigmatization is linked to a number of negative consequences for those who suffer from mental illness. For example, individuals with mental illness experience limited access to housing, unemployment, financial difficulties, health problems, and poor treatment outcomes. This is surely only made worse by the addition of mental health professionals stigmatizing mental illness, and hence, it is important to understand if there is research available that can guide the reduction of this form of stigmatization.

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