Research watch: is social inclusion for service users increased when mental health professionals “come out” as service users?
| Date | 10 April 2017 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-02-2017-0006 |
| Pages | 73-79 |
| Published date | 10 April 2017 |
| Author | Sue Holttum |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Social inclusion |
Research watch: is social inclusion for
service users increased when mental
health professionals “come out”as
service users?
Sue Holttum
Abstract
Purpose –This paper discusses two recent studies of mental health professionals who have experience of
mental distress, one in the USA and one in Australia. The purpose of this paper is to highlight different
experiences, first of largely concealing their experience, and second of disclosing and using it.
Design/methodology/approach –The Australian study examined the barriers experienced by
mental health professionals, including trainees, in relation to seeking help. The USA study reported on a
sample of mental health professionals who were doing well, including leaders of services, despite current or
past mental distress.
Findings –Both studies included more psychologists than other mental health professionals. Australian
mental health professionals reported similar fears and barriers to those found in other studies, in addition to
concern about their colleagues’duty to report impairment to the regulating body. Professionals in the
USA-based study were described as potentially helpful in reducing stigma about mental distress because
their achievements demonstrated that recovery is possible. However, many of them were also cautious about
who they disclosed to, and wanted further reduction in stigma and discrimination.
Originality/value –The Australian study highlighted specifically that the requirement to report impairmentto
the regulator deterred people from disclosing distress at work, making it less likely that they would get help.
The USA-based study was ground-breaking in documenting achievements of a substantial sample of mental
health professionals with experience of mental distress. Potentially more professionals being “out and proud”
might help increase recovery and social inclusion for service users more generally.
Keywords Stigma, Social inclusion, Recovery, Lived experience, Mental health professionals
Paper type Viewpoint
In this paper, I discuss the issue of mental health professionals who themselves have experience
of mental distress, with reference to two recently published papers. The two papers highlight
different issues. One paper (Edwards and Crisp, 2016) records the dilemmas and difficulties
faced by mental health professionals when either disclosing or contemplating disclosing mental
distress. The other (Boyd et al., 2016) highlights the benefits that might be realised through
mental health professionals being open about their own distress, if circumstances are favourable.
This is a topic on which I have published research with others recently, and I briefy refer to it in
what follows.
How do mental health professionals react to their own distress?
Edwards and Crisp (2016) surveyed mental health professionals in Australia about whether they
had sought, or would seek help for mental distress, or had let others know about it. First they
point to research suggesting that mental health professionals, like anyone, can experience
mental distress. They cite several research studies suggesting “high rates of stress and burnout”
Sue Holttum is a Senior Lecturer
at the Salomons Centre for
Applied Psychology, Canterbury
Christ Church University,
Southborough, UK.
DOI 10.1108/MHSI-02-2017-0006 VOL. 21 NO. 2 2017, pp. 73-79, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308
j
MENTALHEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
j
PAG E 73
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