Stigma

'They treat you like an it': people with intellectual disability on seeing medical professionals

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 17, 2023

This was how Richard*, who has an intellectual disability, described his general experiences with medical professionals.

Key Points: 
  • This was how Richard*, who has an intellectual disability, described his general experiences with medical professionals.
  • He was among 18 adults with intellectual disability and eight support people we spoke to for a study on how people with intellectual disability have experienced medical care.
  • This work, part of a broader body of research on intellectual disability and medical care, has revealed an urgent need to shift the deeply entrenched assumptions many health-care workers often hold about patients with intellectual disability.

Centring lived experience from the outset

    • We set out to involve people with lived experience of intellectual disability in the project design, implementation and interpretation.
    • This meant people with intellectual disability were often unsure why they were having a genetic test at all.
    • The video below shows an all-too-common experience for people with intellectual disability seeing a doctor for genetic testing.
    • Read more:
      Hospitals only note a person's intellectual disability 20% of the time – so they don't adjust their care

Post-diagnosis support is often lacking

    • It touches on deeply personal issues of identity, health implications for children and extended family, and future health.
    • For example, after a genetic diagnosis Katrina said:
      I feel like I’m not normal now.
    • However, people with intellectual disability told us they were rarely connected with appropriate psychological supports after their diagnosis.
    • […] I knew I wasn’t normal to others – I knew I was missing, some part of my brain has gone missing.
    • […] I knew I wasn’t normal to others – I knew I was missing, some part of my brain has gone missing.

Change is underway

    • Failing to address this means fewer people with intellectual disability getting health checks and screenings, leading to poorer long-term health.
    • The average life expectancy of Australians with intellectual disability is already shockingly low compared to the general population.
    • But slowly, change is underway.
    • If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
    • She is also a Board member of Self Advocacy Sydney, an organisation run by and for people with intellectual disability.
    • The institute that Jackie Leach Scully directs has received funding from the NHMRC and the NSW Department of Health.

Texas Jury Enters a $2.45 Million Verdict Against Houston-Area Pastor for Transmitting Herpes

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 16, 2023

Mr. West, a Houston resident, is an assistant pastor at The Church Without Walls also located in Houston.

Key Points: 
  • Mr. West, a Houston resident, is an assistant pastor at The Church Without Walls also located in Houston.
  • Houston pastor pays big price for breaking the law by transmitting herpes to woman after lying about having the disease.
  • The total judgment of $2.45 million is believed to be the largest ever awarded in Texas for a case of this nature.
  • He has achieved the largest verdict in the United States and in the states of California, Washington, and Texas.

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Names Special Olympics International Recipient of 2023 Pardes Humanitarian Prize in Mental Health and Awards Honorary Pardes Prize to Henry Jarecki, M.D

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 4, 2023

New York, Oct. 04, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation today announced that Special Olympics International is the recipient of the 2023 Pardes Humanitarian Prize in Mental Health.

Key Points: 
  • New York, Oct. 04, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation today announced that Special Olympics International is the recipient of the 2023 Pardes Humanitarian Prize in Mental Health.
  • An Honorary Pardes Prize Recipient was also announced for 2023 – Henry Jarecki, M.D – for his important contributions to the field of psychiatry and his unique work to preserve academic and scientific freedom.
  • “Special Olympics International is being honored as a beacon of light and equality for its decades of service to adults and children with intellectual disabilities,” said Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D., President & CEO of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.
  • 2023 Honorary Pardes Humanitarian Prize Recipient Henry Jarecki, M.D.

Business Leaders Speak Out for Mental Health Equity at Work

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 3, 2023

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 03, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In anticipation of World Mental Health Day on October 10, the Health Action Alliance (HAA) is thrilled to announce its second annual Mental Health Equity at Work Summit. This virtual event will take place on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 2 pm ET / 11am PT. Top executives from prominent brands such as Mattel, Walmart, and Accenture, in addition to renowned mental health and diversity experts, will converge to explore the pivotal theme, "Breaking Barriers: Empowering Business Excellence through Mental Health Equity."

Key Points: 
  • LOS ANGELES, Oct. 03, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In anticipation of World Mental Health Day on October 10, the Health Action Alliance (HAA) is thrilled to announce its second annual Mental Health Equity at Work Summit .
  • Top executives from prominent brands such as Mattel, Walmart, and Accenture, in addition to renowned mental health and diversity experts, will converge to explore the pivotal theme, "Breaking Barriers: Empowering Business Excellence through Mental Health Equity."
  • “Forward-thinking business leaders who address the mental health needs of a diverse workforce can elevate overall well-being for their entire team.”
    “When you focus on improving mental health for those with the greatest need, everyone wins,” said Mark SooHoo, Executive Director of Health Action Alliance.
  • “Business leaders have a unique opportunity to champion the well-being of their employees, closing gaps in equitable mental health access, and ultimately driving positive business outcomes within their organizations.”
    “Mental health equity, especially considering racial battle fatigue, is crucial for a thriving workplace.

New global study discovers people in pain feel more socially excluded than ever

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 28, 2023

The global index has been exploring the real impact pain has on people’s lives for almost a decade.

Key Points: 
  • The global index has been exploring the real impact pain has on people’s lives for almost a decade.
  • 42% of people questioned said they regularly experience loneliness when in pain.
  • Dr Linda Papadopoulos, Psychologist and Author, commented: “Everyday pain is a health issue that can easily be dismissed or trivialised.
  • The HPI shows that we can lessen the social and emotional impact of pain by shifting perceptions and conversations around pain management.

As Applications for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Treatment Surge, Bicycle Health Makes Population-level Applicant Data Available On New Data Hub

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 26, 2023

New data will be published quarterly on demographics, insured status, path to opioid use disorder, and access to the healthcare system.

Key Points: 
  • New data will be published quarterly on demographics, insured status, path to opioid use disorder, and access to the healthcare system.
  • “Opioid use disorder is one of the nation's most pressing healthcare crises, and - to my knowledge - nobody else is seeing the volume of patients applying for treatment that we see at Bicycle Health, across 32 states,” said Brian Clear, CMO of Bicycle Health.
  • By publishing population-level data on those seeking treatment directly, online, Bicycle Health hopes to provide insights into the diversity of this population.
  • Applicants with a diagnosed mental health disorder: Overall, 12.2% of applicants reported having a diagnosed mental health disorder.

Winston Law announces Its 2023 An End to Stigma Within the Justice System Scholarship Winner

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 26, 2023

DAVIE, Fla., Sept. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Winston Law, a personal injury firm, proudly announces its 2023 An End to Stigma Within the Justice System Scholarship winner.

Key Points: 
  • South Florida law firm awards $2,500 scholarship to law student committed to reducing stigma and prejudice in the legal system.
  • DAVIE, Fla., Sept. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Winston Law , a personal injury firm, proudly announces its 2023 An End to Stigma Within the Justice System Scholarship winner.
  • Blake Krawl, a student at the University of California at Long Beach, is the recipient of the inaugural An End to Stigma Within the Justice System Scholarship offered by Winston Law.
  • The scholarship awards Mr. Krawl with $2,500 toward his educational costs as a law student at the UCLA School of Law.

DIABETES NONPROFIT EXPANDS INTO CANADA WITH NEW COMMUNITY AND LOCAL RESOURCES FOR THOSE LIVING WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 20, 2023

The creation of this online network was in response to an already established and growing Canadian audience with demands for local content and resources related to type 2 diabetes.

Key Points: 
  • The creation of this online network was in response to an already established and growing Canadian audience with demands for local content and resources related to type 2 diabetes.
  • Canadians living with type 2 diabetes can now visit ca.beyondtype2.org for local content, resources and community.
  • Beyond Type 2 aims to educate, empower and connect all people living with type 2 diabetes so that they can live beyond their diagnosis.
  • In addition to the multi-language websites, people living with type 2 diabetes can also find community through the Beyond Type 2 app , launched in partnership with the American Diabetes Association.

Hilinski's Hope Brings Student Athlete Mental Health Week to More Than 155+ Schools

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 20, 2023

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilinski's Hope Foundation (H3H), founded by Mark and Kym Hilinski to honor the legacy of their son Tyler, today announced that over 150 schools and organizations around the country will be participating in Student Athlete Mental Health Week, the organization's fourth annual week of collective action dedicated to addressing the mental wellbeing of student athletes, from September 30th to October 7th.

Key Points: 
  • During Student Athlete Mental Health Week, student athletes and athletic departments across the country will participate in breaking down stigma, offering quality resources, and letting student athletes know they are supported.
  • "In their adoption of Student Athlete Mental Health Week, we are proud to stand with Hilinski's Hope as they continue to advocate for the mental health and safety of student athletes of every sport and level."
  • H3H has created evidence-based mental health resources, including the Game Plan and Online Mental Health Course, which work to educate and reduce the stigma of seeking help for mental health concerns, along with providing a new way of thinking and addressing mental health.
  • Student Athlete Mental Health Week coincides with Mental Illness Awareness Week, October 1-7, culminating on World Mental Health Day on October 10.

Annals of Family Medicine: Researchers Describe Clinical Experiences of Transgender People, Recommend Strategies to Reduce Negative Health Consequences

Retrieved on: 
Monday, September 18, 2023

A new paper published in the September/October 2023 issue of Annals of Family Medicine describes the clinical experiences of transgender people.

Key Points: 
  • A new paper published in the September/October 2023 issue of Annals of Family Medicine describes the clinical experiences of transgender people.
  • Study authors also present short-term and long-term strategies towards reducing oppression and its health consequences among this patient population.
  • "Understanding the experiences of transgender people when their gender identities are known to clinicians and the reasons transgender people may share, modify, or withhold information could yield important clinical insights," the authors write.
  • Annals of Family Medicine is a peer-reviewed, indexed research journal that provides a cross-disciplinary forum for new, evidence-based information affecting the primary care disciplines.