What I can do as an individual professional
You do not have to be the PC police to recognise stigma and act. You can challenge stigma by correcting people’s misunderstandings – both adults’ and young people’s.
As an individual professional, there are many things you can do. Schools should see this work as part of their work to promote mental health and wellbeing in their efforts towards Health Promoting Schools status.
Accurate knowledge and familiarity with the issues are one of the most important tools for fighting stigma. Use this site to get that knowledge, and pass it on.
- Use this site to find out about mental health problems, and download publications and resources from other campaigns and organisations.
- Read young people's accounts of stigma, and use them to start discussions in class.
- Download or order campaign materials. Work with young people to decide which materials to display, and how they can be used in your organisation.
- Encourage young people to display posters in the community by negotiating with local shops, businesses, sports and leisure facilities or community centres.
- Support young people who report stigma to you, addressing it as you would any other report of bullying or discrimination.
- Encourage young people to access this site, maybe featuring it as homepage for a week.
- Contact your local mental health promotion specialist through the health board, or look up other local organisations who work with ‘see me’
- Work with other organisations and young people, to produce a local directory of community contacts for young people, parents or colleagues.
- Run a campaign or an event, or build the message into a health fair. You could display ‘see me’ materials at other events like plays or parents evenings. Tell us about it.
- Respond to episodes of stigma in the media, in business or services by getting involved with Stigma Stop Watch. You may use examples as themes for assemblies or other pastoral time.
As an organisation:
- Identify training needs for your organisation. Organisations such as Penumbra and HUG from the ‘see me’ alliance offer training, and many of the other local ‘see me’ activists will be able to assist.
- As a professional, you can challenge stigma amongst colleagues, especially where their attitudes could affect a young person’s feelings. Display both young people and workplace campaign posters in staff areas.
- Include the anti-stigma message across the board, taking action in different areas. Trade union meetings, planning meetings, Parent/Teacher Groups and Management Groups/School Boards can all incorporate anti-stigma action into their work.
- Some activities may present specific barriers for people with mental health problems. Physical activity or public speaking can be hard for people with low self-esteem, gym or swimming hard for people who self-harm, or home economics hard for people with eating problems. Have a look at your policies and procedures, and if you think there are gaps, suggest a review.
- Foster an environment of anti-discrimination and celebration of difference. Pursuing anti-bullying strategies, or promoting peer involvement in counselling or mediation may be ways forward.
 
 
|
