Training pack launched to combat mental health discrimination in NHS

A training pack to help mental health professionals challenge discrimination within health services has been launched today.

The pack has been developed in partnership with NHS England by the Time to Change programme, which is run by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.

Time to Change points to research in the British Journal of Psychiatry in 2013 which showed that one in three people still face stigma and discrimination when they use mental health services in England.

The training pack is designed to prompt mental health teams to talk openly about how they can improve their culture and practice. It encourages staff to consider what impact their behaviour can have on patients, and how people with mental health problems can feel they are invisible. The pack includes a film and supporting materials. 

NHS England senior nurse for mental health and learning disabilities Joanne McDonnell said research from the campaign showed that ‘small individual actions’ such as maintaining eye contact or taking a few extra minutes with someone, ‘can change an interaction and improve the experience and life of someone with a mental health problem’.

Download the pack here