working towards a seated, integrated, no-longer invisible elephant
Stigma and discrimination
The text here is from here. The list, and small text & links attached to it, have been added.
- Stigma
- Discrimination
- Mental illness and disability
- As a carer
- Dealing with stigma and discrimination
- Watch a video
1 Stigma
1.1
As a carer, you may feel that people disregard or look down on you because your experience is different from their own. This is known as stigma.
1.2
Stigma can result from differences such as gender, ethnicity, religion, disability and even for people associated with disability.
1.3
You may suffer from stigma in how you are treated by family, friends, strangers
1.4
and healthcare professionals. more here.
2 Discrimination
If as result of stigma your rights ((more here)) are infringed, this is known as discrimination.
3 Mental illness and disability
You may find that you experience stigma because either you or the person you look after has a mental illness. Mental health problems are covered by the Equality Act 2010, which replaces the Disability Discrimination Act, and aims to end discrimination against disabled people in circumstances including employment, education and the provision of goods and services.
Other carer-related Acts are here.
4 As a carer
4.1
If you are a carer, you may find that people don’t know what that means, or assume that you are a paid professional care worker. Some people are caring for others but do not yet realise the role they have taken on.
4.2
There are many myths about carers that create a false impression of the valuable work they do and the money they save the British economy.
4.3
You may find that when you tell people you are a carer, some think that you are using your role to help you claim benefits.
more here.
4.4
4.4.1
t might be helpful to let them know that carers save the economy £78 billion a year; a far cry from draining the economy.
4.4.2
Taking the time to explain to people what your role entails may help them understand the pressure you can be under as a carer.
more on pressure here leading to panel 5 here
5 Dealing with stigma and discrimination
5.1
If you are feeling stigmatised or discriminated against, you may find it helpful to speak to others who may be experiencing similar problems in their lives.
5.2
You can contact a local carers' centre to see if they have support groups. You may find that being able to both receive and offer support helps you.
An example of a local carers' centre is here. A contrasting example is here. A framework at 2.3 is here
You can contact your County Council - example here.
5.3
If you have been discriminated against at
5.3.1 work, a relevant page is Carers who work
5.3.2 at a place of learning, see a page addressed to education here
5.3.3 or accessing health treatment, you can take it further. more here
5.3.4 You can speak to your employer, school or college
5,3,5 or primary care trust. see here
5.3.6 If you do not have any success at this level and have followed the relevant complaints procedure ((more here)), you can contact the Equality and Human Rights Commission for more information. Other carer-related Acts are here.
6 Complain here
pagetop here for pasting Stigma and discrimination - a NHS page here