The role of social media in reducing stigma and discrimination

Victoria Betton; Rohan Borschmann; Mary Docherty; Stephen Coleman; Mark Brown; Claire Henderson

doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.114.152835

The role of social media in reducing stigma and discrimination

Br J Psychiatry. 2015 Jun;206(6):443-4. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.114.152835.

Authors

Victoria Betton¹, Rohan Borschmann¹, Mary Docherty¹, Stephen Coleman¹, Mark Brown¹, Claire Henderson¹

Affiliation

¹ Victoria Betton, PhD candidate, Institute of Communications, University of Leeds, Leeds; Rohan Borschmann, PhD, DClinPsy, Mary Docherty, MRCP, MRCPsych, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neurology, London; Stephen Coleman, PhD, Institute of Communications, University of Leeds, Leeds; Mark Brown, Social Spider CIC and One in Four magazine, London; Claire Henderson, MRCPsych, PhD, Health Service and Population Research Department, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neurology, London, UK.

PMID: 26034176
DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.114.152835

Abstract

This editorial explores the implications of social media practices whereby people with mental health problems share their experiences in online public spaces and challenge mental health stigma. Social media enable individuals to bring personal experience into the public domain with the potential to affect public attitudes and mainstream media. We draw tentative conclusions regarding the use of social media by campaigning organisations.

Publication types

Editorial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Humans
Mental Health
Prejudice / prevention & control*
Social Discrimination / prevention & control*
Social Media*
Social Stigma*