A Health Promotion Seeding Grants Project
Misinformed perceptions lead to stigma and discrimination,
contributing to an increased sense of fear, anxiety and uncertainty
amongst people living with a mental illness. They contribute to
people's low self-esteem, feelings of rejection and acts of
discrimination.
The Commonwealth Department of Human Services and Health (1995,
1998) suggested that some health workers share negative perceptions
surrounding people with a mental health problem. The Mental Health
Council of Australia's "Attitudes of Health Professionals"
project indicates that these attitudes result in the creation of
barriers to optimal treatment outcomes for people with a mental
illness. Mental health Consumer and their representatives confirm the
harsh experiences of negative attitudes felt from service providers.
Midas was very pleased to be asked to support both of the Valley
stigma projects, due to the very high rates of drug use amongst
clients of the mental health services which are involved in these
undertakings.
