ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by noting that the majority of the research reviewed originates from the Global North and that it tends to adopt an implicitly biomedical framework, to utilise psychiatric diagnostic categories in an uncritical manner and draws heavily on stigma-based conceptualisations. The extent of mental health discrimination against those with psychiatric diagnoses is discussed including research on public attitudes. A number of causal factors are reviewed, including the role of the media. However, it is argued that biomedically oriented and stigma-based conceptualisations are problematic and that a perspective focused on epistemic injustice is preferable. Extracts from a qualitative study based on interviews with mental health service users are presented, illustrating how people with psychiatric diagnoses respond to prejudice and discrimination and the varied strategies they use to manage it. Interventions to counter prejudice and discrimination are reviewed with a focus on their underlying conceptual assumptions (e.g. comparing biomedically oriented and psychosocially oriented approaches). The chapter ends with a discussion of potential future avenues for research and practice.
