Louise Byrne1, Cath Roper2, Brenda Happell3, Kerry Reid-Searl4. 1. a Lived Experience in Mental Health Lecturer, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Division of Higher Education, Central Queensland University , Rockhampton , Queensland , Australia. 2. b Consumer Academic, Centre for Psychiatric Nursing, University of Melbourne , Carlton , Australia. 3. c Faculty of Health , and ACT Health, Professor of Nursing, Executive Director, SYNERGY, Nursing and Midwifery Research Centre, University of Canberra, Canberra Hospital, WODEN , Australia. 4. d Professor of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Division of Higher Education, Central Queensland University , Rockhampton , Queensland , Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lived experience practitioners can contribute to improved outcomes for people with mental illness, supplementing traditional mental health services and reducing health care costs. However, lived experience practitioners frequently face stigma and discrimination within their work roles. AIM: To understand the impact of stigma and discrimination on the effectiveness of lived experience roles from the perspective of lived experience practitioners. METHOD: In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 lived experience practitioners within a grounded theory study. RESULTS: Issues of stigma and discrimination were identified as a core category of this study. Participants described stigma and discrimination so prevalent as to be considered a "normal" part of their working life. Professional isolation and attitudinal barriers from colleagues were seen to inhibit the effectiveness of lived experience roles. CONCLUSIONS: Lived experience practitioners can provide a vital contribution to stigma reduction broadly, however, the stigma and discrimination they face within work roles must be addressed to allow this contribution to be effective.
BACKGROUND: Lived experience practitioners can contribute to improved outcomes for people with mental illness, supplementing traditional mental health services and reducing health care costs. However, lived experience practitioners frequently face stigma and discrimination within their work roles. AIM: To understand the impact of stigma and discrimination on the effectiveness of lived experience roles from the perspective of lived experience practitioners. METHOD: In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 lived experience practitioners within a grounded theory study. RESULTS: Issues of stigma and discrimination were identified as a core category of this study. Participants described stigma and discrimination so prevalent as to be considered a "normal" part of their working life. Professional isolation and attitudinal barriers from colleagues were seen to inhibit the effectiveness of lived experience roles. CONCLUSIONS: Lived experience practitioners can provide a vital contribution to stigma reduction broadly, however, the stigma and discrimination they face within work roles must be addressed to allow this contribution to be effective.
Authors: Louise Byrne; Helena Roennfeldt; Jessica Wolf; Ally Linfoot; Dana Foglesong; Larry Davidson; Chyrell Bellamy Journal: Adm Policy Ment Health Date: 2021-09-03