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Mental health
Stigma and discrimination
Stigma is a major cause of discrimination and exclusion: it affects people‘s self-esteem, helps disrupt their family relationships and limits their ability to socialize and obtain housing and jobs. It hampers the prevention of mental health disorders, the promotion of mental well-being and the provision of effective treatment and care. It also contributes to the abuse of human rights.
Service users and carers have long battled stigma and discrimination. The lack of support for organizations of service users and carers and poor advocacy hinder the design and implementation of policies and activities sensitive to their needs and wishes.