4. Challenging Inequality
Addressing the causes and consequences of stigma, discrimination, social inequality and exclusion on service users, carers and mental health services. Creating, developing or maintaining valued social roles for people in the communities they come from.
‘It is particularly important to understand the nature and consequences of stigma and discrimination. Social inequality and exclusion have a potentially devastating effect on the recovery process and will make it difficult for service users to achieve their potential or take their rightful place in society.’
(Department of Health 2004)
What this means is: Helping to overcome unfair treatment and unwelcoming attitudes that affect service users, carers and mental health services. Helping people to play an active part in their own community and to be accepted rather than shut out.
To challenge inequality you need to:
- understand the effects of exclusion and discrimination.