Students dealing with mental health issues: managing identity and stigma Dr Jonathan Leach The Open University

The atmosphere is very competitive and it would be difficult to show weakness. This is not said explicitly but it is picked up that this is what you have to achieve and that it will be hard. ‘Stress is my responsibility, I've got to do this degree.’… People here are used to being independent and doing well by themselves. Student (old university)

There is a stigma around mental health which is enormous. Academic Staff Member People are frightened of mental illness and strangeness. This is perhaps something which they do have a right to fear but there is a need to be aware that the danger element is only a small proportion. University Counsellor There are a few students who are the ‘odd ones out’ within the college. You can’t do much to help them. It is human instinct to ridicule behaviour which is not ‘normal’ and to pick up on any exaggerated behaviour. University Student

The environment of the academic institution provides a negative influence and, as a result, students won’t reveal they have a problem as they know what will happen. It is so difficult to convince people to seek help when they know what reaction they will get... It is a mistake to show emotions, you are seen as dysfunctional, as weak. I am speaking from both personal experience and from the Welfare Officer role. I personally kept my own stuff out of sight [within the college] as I knew there wouldn’t be much support and there are very few who will accept you as you are rather than as a charity case. Student (old university)

I don’t have a problem about talking about my experiences, but l know a lot of people are reluctant to admit it and it took me a long time to get where I am now. Mental health is still riddled with stigma. I find that people are normally so intrigued and they are really interested and as I am so open, and as I don’t rock back and forth etc., they see you can be normal. And you may find that they have suffered something and it makes it easier to talk about things. Student (new university)

Beliefs about university counselling service It is form of psychiatric unit within the university You must have a very serious mental health issue to access it It could lead to a fast track into psychiatric hospital The therapy would be Freudian Using the service would end up as being placed on their ‘record’

I would be concerned about the affect on their future profession. I wouldn’t lightly document something that goes on to file for that reason. Academic staff member (old university) The fear of something going onto your medical record is a genuine issue e.g. attempted suicide makes life insurance very difficult to get. Ideally it is something which we would not want to make people aware of but on the other hand suppression of information is an area where we would be medically and legally vulnerable. General Practitioner

Context of mental health stigma for students Society Academic environment IdentityStigma