People who suffer from mental illness not only have to cope with the illness itself, but also with the public stigma and discrimination that is associated with these illnesses (Reavley & Jorm, 2012).
The Health Promotion Agency (HPA) contributes to the Like Minds, Like Mine programme to increase social inclusion and promote the reduction of stigma and discrimination for people who experience mental illness (Ministry of Health & Health Promotion Agency, 2014). HPA’s Health and Lifestyles Survey (HLS) monitors New Zealanders’ behaviour and attitudes towards a range of health topics, including mental health. This fact sheet reports on attitudes towards social inclusion of people with mental illness within the community.
Methodology
Respondents in the 2014 HLS were asked about their attitudes towards acceptance and inclusion of community members with mental illness and distress using the following statement:
A new community mental health centre is to open. It caters for people with a range of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety disorder and schizophrenia. It provides mental health assessment and treatment for people who are experiencing serious mental health problems.
Respondents were given a number of scenarios attached to the statement. They were asked if they would be comfortable (providing a yes/no answer) if the centre was: a) ‘in your suburb?’; b) ‘a couple of blocks away from you?’; c) ‘on your street?’; and d) ‘next door to you?’.
Responses were compared by gender, age, ethnicity, neighbourhood deprivation status, educational background and employment status. Only those group differences that were statistically significant (p < .05) are reported.
Key Results
• There was a decrease in the comfort level respondents expressed as the scenarios became more socially inclusive (ie, the closer the community mental health centre was located to respondents’ homes).
• There was an increase in both the discomfort level of respondents and those who did not know if they would be comfortable or not, as the scenarios became more socially inclusive.
• Responses to the social inclusion scenarios generally differed by ethnicity and educational background.