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Health
Royal
College of Psychiatrists honours John Bowis
In July 2003
John Bowis was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Here is an extract from his acceptance speech about the need to
tackle the stigmatisation of people with mental health problems.
"We
all contribute to the stigmatisation of people who, if they had
a physical problem, would receive our sympathy and support.
Yet with mental illness we so often turn away and hope someone else
will cope. Living with mental illness is tough enough, without having
added to the burden of illness, the pain of rejection and stigma.
"So
how do we tackle it?
First we must confront stigma for what it is. It is prejudice...
So: we could start by listening to and learning from service users.
They should be partners and not just patients...
We have acknowledged the concept of institutionalised racism;
so let us admit to institutionalised stigma in our political, social
and health systems.
We have legislated against discrimination for people with disabilities.
Perhaps we need to explore whether such laws could apply effectively,
or more effectively, to people with mental illness.
We have charters of rights for patients, tenants, travellers, shoppers;
so why not for mental health patients?
We have mental health laws to give rights to patients in hospital;
but are they adequate to cover rights in the community?
We need to educate and inform so we can break the vicious chain
of prejudice and ignorance that links public, media, patient and
government."
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