Lived Experience Forum

[Zoe7]

I think with children learning their own identity and that being learnt through others that stigma is definitely a learned condition. When a child's role model's show this behaviour then children learn that behaviour and take it on as part of their own identity. 

[Shaz51]

wow very interesting @s-jay, @cameron

[cameron]

Is stigma a learned condition because it seems to be absent in young children who happily play with others whom adults may well prefer to shun?

I’m going to mention this a lot from now on because this is the only way people can often get past their own guilt...

“Stigma begins with a choice that isn’t your fault. It continues with a choice that is.”

And that’s it.

I’ve found that when people are shown their negative behaviour in a punitive way they tend to dig their heels in and make the whole experience a battle. So hopefully this can alleviate it. 

[s-jay]

@Shaz51 has the show now finished in Qld?

[cameron]

@Hope4me Thank you 🙂

[Claired]

@cameron - for the audience trauma was raised at least once by the panel but there was no "opening up". i suppose that was fair given it was on national television.

[s-jay]

Wow, well I can't beleive it's been an hour already!

Thanks everyone for such a fascinating conversation. We think documentaries like How ‘Mad’ Are You open up important public discussion around mental illness, stereotypes and stigma. So as we wrap it up, as a farewell statement tell us what is one thing you can do to increase awareness, reduce stigma, encourage people to seek help, or reinforce hope?”

[cameron]

@Sophia1 Thank you so much. That means a lot.

[Liss23]

“Stigma begins with a choice that isn’t your fault. It continues with a choice that is.”

That is brilliant!

[Zoe7]

Treat everyone as equal @s-jay as we never know what they are dealing with or what 'battles' they have had to go through to get where they are now.