Stigma Within Professionals

Let's face-it, there is some major stigma within the social work field in regards to seeking mental health therapy/treatment services. We do not have parity between physical health and mental health. Parity is the state or condition of being equal and we do not view these types of health as equal. 

Recently, I challenged my co-workers to think differently about their responses they gave to changing our Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The current EAP provider was ending their contract with us and need to find a new provider. A co-worker asked about a provider she had seen some flyers for in the building (we share our building with another organization). It was shared that the EAP provider on the flyer was a subsidy of a local community mental health center that we contract with. The co-worker wasn't advocating for them, but pointing this EAP provider out as a potential option. The question was proposed, could this be an option?

Several staff members had strong opinions about using this particular EAP as a provider. Staff had the same feelings that stop many people from getting services:

• I may have gone to school with some of them.
• What if someone I know sees me?
• How do I know my information will be kept confidential?

While I am not saying these feelings are invalid (because all feelings are valid), I would challenge people to stop and think about those feelings and if they relate to stigma. If this was a medical procedure would these be the same thoughts and feelings? These immediate reactions staff shared really relate to the internalize stigma we, even as leaders in behavioral health, have towards seeking help for mental health concerns. We don't trust people to keep our information confidential and we are afraid people who we know may see us getting help. 

I challenged the staff to think about internalized stigma. I am not advocating to contract with this particular EAP provider. I do think we need to examine our thoughts and reactions when mental health treatment "hits close to home". Sure it's easy to think that people should get help when they need it and that people should believe that licensed professionals would keep their information confidential, but is it that easy when it comes to the professional needing help. 

Parity comes when we see mental health and physical in the same light. When our thoughts and reactions to someone (or ourselves) needing psychiatric medications or to talk to someone are the same as getting prescribed something for blood pressure or diabetes. Parity occurs when we take the same prevention measures for mental health and as we do for physical health (hint: a lot of it is the same). Parity is when we understand that physical and mental health are interdependent and they effect each other. 

Stigma is a major roadblock to parity. If we are going to #EndStigma we need to start evaluating our own thoughts and beliefs.