title: Dyad conversations about self-stigma in two Scottish communities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study explored self-stigma in 2 Scottish communities and strategies for challenging stigma and discrimination.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mixed-methods approach was used encompassing a survey including the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Inventory (ISMI) and facilitated dyad conversations with people with lived experience of mental illness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Self-reported experience of self-stigma across 2 communities was most closely associated with the ISMI Alienation cluster, accompanied by a high level of agreement with the Stigma Resistance cluster. Some 44% agreed that stereotypes about people with mental health problems applied to them, and almost 2/3 felt that having a mental health problem had spoiled their lives. Many participants reported reduced confidence, loss of hope, a sense of failure, and protecting oneself through social withdrawal. The findings also offer hope through narratives from people who have "pushed back" and are striving to reduce their own self-stigma by engaging with others and managing their own recovery journey.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The journey through self-stigma and beyond has to be informed by what we know works with recovery from a mental health problem. At a policy and practice level, we recommend emphasis on 4 priorities: (a) refocusing antistigma and discrimination efforts more on the experiences of people who report stigma, (b) rights-based approaches, (c) identity-based work, and (d) information sharing and educational strategies.
authors.affiliation: Rob Mackay Consultancy.
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mackay
authors.affiliation: Scottish Recovery Network.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-0339-1882
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bradstreet
authors.affiliation: Social Marketing Gateway.
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McArthur
authors.affiliation: Social Marketing Gateway.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dunion
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D065026:Hope; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D033262:Narration; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012606:Scotland; D012649:Self Concept; D058992:Social Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D057545:Social Stigma; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires