people with mental illness. Stigma associated with mental illness refers to a The award winning national media devalued social identity and is usually campaigns have been through five expressed through disrespectful attitudes. phases since 2000. The campaigns have Discrimination refers to unfair treatment shifted in emphasis over this time from and is usually expressed through focusing on famous to everyday people excluding behaviour and unfair structures. with mental illness, from experiences of mild and moderate mental illness to Stigma and discrimination continue to more severe ones, and from awareness interfere with the quality of life of raising to modelling inclusive people with mental illness in New relationships. Zealand, despite the achievements of Like Minds over the last 16 years. Like Minds has tracked public attitudes Stigma and discrimination have deep since 1997 and commissioned a cultural roots that are present in every analysis of the programme in area of life and eliminating them 2010.3 The public attitudes surveys requires a long term commitment. Like demonstrate that attitudes towards Minds has created some positive people with mental illness in the target outcomes but there is a long way to go group of 15 to 44-year-olds have to ensure that individuals and improved significantly, especially among organisations demonstrate socially Māori, Pacific and young people.4 The inclusive attitudes and behaviours cost benefit analysis calculated that Like towards people with mental illness. Minds had cost a total of $52m since its inception. The estimated economic Data taken from the 2008 New Zealand benefits (increased access to General Social Survey showed that employment, hours worked, and people with ‘severe’ symptoms of mental increased use of primary care) totalled illness fared significantly worse in many $720m, or $13.80 for every dollar social inclusion indicators, especially in spent.5 social relationships, employment and income. Stigma and discrimination are among the biggest barriers to social inclusion for 3 Vaithianathan, R. (2010). Cost Benefit Analysis of the New Zealand National Mental Health Destigmatisation Programme. Auckland: UniServices.
The award winning national media campaigns have been through five phases since 2000. The campaigns have shifted in emphasis over this time from focusing on famous to everyday people with mental illness, from experiences of mild and moderate mental illness to more severe ones, and from awareness raising to modelling inclusive relationships. Like Minds has tracked public attitudes since 1997 and commissioned a analysis of the programme in 2010.3 The public attitudes surveys demonstrate that attitudes towards people with mental illness in the target group of 15 to 44-year-olds have improved significantly, especially among Māori, Pacific and young people.4 The cost benefit analysis calculated that Like Minds had cost a total of $52m since its inception. The estimated economic benefits (increased access to employment, hours worked, and increased use of primary care) totalled $720m, or $13.80 for every dollar spent.5 Stigma and discrimination are among the biggest barriers to social inclusion for people with mental illness. Stigma associated with mental illness refers to a devalued social identity and is usually expressed through disrespectful attitudes. Discrimination refers to unfair treatment and is usually expressed through excluding behaviour and unfair structures. Stigma and discrimination continue to interfere with the quality of life of people with mental illness in New Zealand, despite the achievements of Like Minds over the last 16 years. Stigma and discrimination have deep cultural roots that are present in every area of life and eliminating them requires a long term commitment. Like Minds has created some positive outcomes but there is a long way to go to ensure that individuals and organisations demonstrate socially inclusive attitudes and behaviours towards people with mental illness. Data taken from the 2008 New Zealand General Social Survey showed that people with ‘severe’ symptoms of mental illness fared significantly worse in many social inclusion indicators, especially in social relationships, employment and income. 3 Vaithianathan, R. (2010). Cost Benefit Analysis of the New Zealand National Mental Health Destigmatisation Programme. Auckland: UniServices.