Assessment of Mental Health Stigma in Mental Health Care Workers

This paper presents and discusses the assessment of mental health stigma in mental health care workers in an inpatient psychiatric hospital. Mental health conditions are prevalent throughout the United States with "one in 5 adults experiencing a mental health condition every year" (NAMI, 2017a, para. 4). Stigma within mental health care workers can affect patient treatment outcomes; therefore, it is important to know whether or not mental health stigma exists in health care workers (Stuber, Rocha, Christian, & Link, 2014). This is especially true for those who work in a hospital dedicated to helping those with mental illness. Based upon the results of an extensive literature search, it was found that there is limited data on mental health stigma within the mental health care workforce in the United States and no data for the state of Utah. This paper records the results and interpretations of the pilot study into mental health stigma in mental health care workers. Various interventions have been utilized to address the issue of mental health stigma; however, it remains a problem. Lewin's change theory is suggested in this project to help maintain a longer lasting effect on the issue of mental health stigma. The objectives of this project were to 1) assess nurse managers' perspectives on mental health stigma using qualitative means, 2) assess the stakeholders' (psychiatric technicians, social workers, registered nurses, physicians, and nurse practitioners) levels of mental health stigma utilizing a validated instrument (Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Health Care Providers, OMS-HC, Image A), and 3) present the data to stakeholders in order to explore potential interventions aimed at reducing mental health stigma. Both questionnaire results and qualitative results received in staff meetings indicated the presence of mental health stigma in the mental health care workers working in an inpatient psychiatric hospital. Differences were noted between professions; however, they were not statistically significant. Further research and interventions will need to occur in the future to better address the presence of stigma in mental health care workers.