New Brunswick Workshop Addresses Structural Stigma in Healthcare

Health-care leaders from New Brunswick convened in Dieppe on March 12, 2024, for a workshop aimed at addressing the issue of structural stigma within the country’s health-care system. The event, organized by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), focused on the unfair treatment of individuals with mental health issues and substance use disorders. This stigma can severely impact access to necessary services and overall quality of care.

Understanding Structural Stigma

The term “structural stigma” refers to the systemic barriers that individuals with mental health and substance use issues face when seeking care. According to the MHCC, these barriers can lead to underdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and poorer health outcomes. Sebastien Lagace, the associate vice-president for mental health and addiction at Vitalité Health Network, emphasized the importance of ensuring that all New Brunswickers have access to quality mental health services. “We know that stigma is a barrier to access services sometimes,” he stated.

Lagace highlighted the challenges that arise when attempting to reintegrate patients into the community after treatment. “It’s hard for them to find housing based on their mental health condition,” he explained, underlining the societal impacts of stigma beyond the healthcare setting.

Breaking Down Barriers in Healthcare

Nitika Rewari, director of prevention and promotion initiatives for the MHCC, spoke about the need to dismantle the stigma faced by individuals seeking help. “We really want to break down and dismantle the stigma that people needing help experience when they go into a health-care setting,” she said. Rewari noted that health-care professionals sometimes make assumptions about patients’ symptoms and situations, which can further exacerbate the stigma.

Resource limitations also play a role in the stigma surrounding mental health care. Rewari pointed out the disparity in staffing between physical health and mental health services, raising concerns about the adequacy of support for those in need. “How many nurses or physicians to physical health problems are there versus to mental health problems?” she questioned.

The physical environment of health-care facilities also contributes to the stigma experienced by patients. Rewari asked whether the spaces where individuals seek help are “comforting” and “inviting,” emphasizing that the organizational culture and policies can significantly impact the quality of care.

Lagace concluded by acknowledging the widespread effects of stigma, affecting not only patients but also healthcare workers striving to provide quality care. “It’s our clients, it’s our patients, it’s also our health-care workers who are trying to provide high-quality care services, but sometimes they have barriers from stigmatization,” he said.

The workshop aimed to foster dialogue and collaboration among health-care leaders to create a more supportive environment for those facing mental health challenges. As discussions continue, the need for systemic change becomes increasingly clear, highlighting the vital work ahead in the pursuit of equity in health care.