title: Experiences of discrimination and positive treatment from health professionals: A national survey of adults with mental health problems.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To systematically investigate the scope and nature of discrimination and positive treatment experienced by adults with mental health problems when using health services in an Australian population-based survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Australian adults (n = 1381) who reported a mental health problem or scored high on a screening questionnaire were interviewed about their experience of discrimination and positive treatment from healthcare professionals. Descriptions of experiences were content-analysed to identify key characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 11.8% of respondents reported discrimination from a health professional in the past 12 months. The most common types of discrimination included being treated dismissively, being judged and not being listened to, particularly regarding personal history and treatment needs. In contrast, 40.4% reported being treated more positively by their health professional because of their mental health problem. Key types of positive treatment by health professionals were being supportive and understanding and being a good listener. Good quality care approaches were also appreciated, including making a referral, being engaged in the treatment process, regularly checking the status of the person's mental health and providing information.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A minority of respondents with mental health problems had experienced discrimination from their healthcare professional, potentially interfering with recovery. Anti-stigma education interventions for healthcare professionals should address how to increase knowledge and understanding of mental health problems, reduce negative attitudes and encourage supportive behaviours.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia amy.morgan@latrobe.edu.au.
authors.forename: Amy J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.affiliation: Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Nicola J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Reavley
authors.affiliation: Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Anthony F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Jorm
authors.affiliation: Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beatson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057545:Social Stigma; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Mental health; discrimination; healthcare professional; stigma