13 Ways Nurses Can Combat Mental Health Stigma

Mental health stigma causes setbacks in recovery for people with mental health conditions. Prejudice and discrimination leads to a myriad of negative outcomes, including reluctance to seek help, worsening of symptoms, and decreased quality of care. Nurses, especially those who work in the mental health field, are uniquely positioned to challenge stigma. Through empathy, education, and advocacy, nurses can help move society into a culture of understanding and acceptance of mental health and illness.

Mental health nurses work directly with patients, their family members, and the interprofessional team. The public also respects them as health care professionals. Because of this, nurses are in a unique position to promote change. Here are 13 ways that nurses can combat mental health stigma.

1. Educate patients and families

Provide clear, compassionate, evidence-based education about mental health conditions, their causes, and treatment options to reduce misunderstandings and fear. Explain that mental health conditions are common, treatable, and influenced by biological, psychological, and environmental factors, and that they are not due to personal weakness. Have open discussions about fears and misconceptions in order to dispel any myths, and normalize having difficult conversations about mental health.

2. Advocate for mental health awareness

Participate in or organize mental health awareness events, such as seminars, talks, or campaigns to normalize discussions about mental health. Events can take place within your organization, a community center, a local school, or even online in a webinar. Provide paper or digital handouts with information and resources for further learning. Advocating for mental health awareness can also take place on a smaller scale with initiating discussions about a patient’s mental well-being as a part of their care.

3. Model non-judgmental attitudes

Demonstrate acceptance and understanding in interactions with patients, families, and colleagues to set a positive example. Use open and non-defensive body language and lead with compassion. Practice active listening and culturally-sensitive care. Reflect on your words and actions, and be mindful of how your attitude may change when working with patients with different diagnoses. Address others’ biased perspectives of patients with certain mental health diagnoses.

4. Promote recovery-oriented language

Use language that emphasizes recovery and person-first perspectives. For example, use the phrase “a person living with schizophrenia” or “a patient with schizophrenia” rather than “a schizophrenic”. When in doubt, ask the person how they prefer to refer to their condition.

5. Challenge stereotypes

Address harmful stereotypes when they arise in conversations or media. Offer factual, non-judgmental information in response without the use of stigmatizing language. Share the realities of mental illness and stories of individuals who successfully manage their conditions to showcase that resilience and recovery is possible. Debunk myths of being a mental health care provider.

6. Collaborate with community organizations

Partner with local mental health advocacy groups to build bridges between inpatient care and the community. Work together to determine how how expertise, resources, and funding can be shared to amplify access to and impact of care. Engage in joint advocacy efforts for policy change. Foster ongoing communication to ensure that long-term partnership is sustainable and successful.

7. Encourage peer support

Highlight the value of peer-led programs or groups and one-on-one peer support to show that recovery is achievable and that mental health challenges are common and manageable. Provide a sense of normalcy in people supporting one another as an avenue for support for mental wellness.

8. Provide inclusive care

Recognize and address disparities in care for marginalized groups, working to reduce stigma tied to race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Ensure that care is individualized, trauma-informed, and culturally-relevant.

9. Educate colleagues and peers

Involve others in education, such as workshops and webinars, to promote understanding of mental health conditions and their impact. Take the lead in engaging in ongoing self-directed learning to set an example for colleagues and peers. Suggest high-quality media and books that accurately reflect the realities of mental health and illness.

10. Engage in policy advocacy

Support policies and legislation that improve access to mental health care, reduce discrimination, and encourage funding for education and support services. Within an institution, advocate for the development and revision of policies that promote the best quality care for patients experiencing mental health crises.

11. Storytelling and sharing lived experiences

When appropriate, share success stories of recovery (while respecting confidentiality) to inspire hope and break down misconceptions that mental illness is a hopeless diagnosis. Include peer participation and patient voice into the agenda of training sessions and other events within your institution.

12. Empower patients to advocate

Teach patients to advocate for themselves, helping them gain confidence in sharing their stories and challenging stigma in their own communities. Approach with a strength-based perspective and provide them with the information that they need to have their voices heard. Provide an avenue for their self-advocacy within an inpatient care environment or publicly in the community.

13. Use social media positively

Share mental health information and positive messages on professional social media platforms to reach a broader audience. Reflect on your own internal biases before posting. Use data-driven messages by incorporating accurate statistics and researched-backed evidence.