Mental health discrimination 'is haunting'

8th February 2010

Prejudice against people with mental health illnesses haunts them wherever they go, it has been suggested.

According to a blog post on charity Mind's website, this discrimination can prevent individuals with psychological problems from going about their everyday lives, including employment.

The writer, Izzi, described one incident where she had been picking up her prescription from a pharmacy.

"I heard the pharmacist whisper to the assistant: Keep an eye on her, she's crazy," Izzi stated.

"I'm just trying to get through life/uni/work etc," she commented, adding that it had not been her intention to cause a scene.

These kinds of remarks hurt deeply, Izzi explained, as it makes people feel that they will always be "that crazy person".

Speaking to Personnel Today, human resources consultant Helen Waygood last month highlighted the problems individuals with mental health concerns face when looking for work.

Many businesses have outdated views of psychological illnesses, she explained.