Agencies and organisations involved in training students for the medical profession must ensure that mental health is an integral part of any training program, the Australian Greens have said.
Greens spokesperson for Mental Health, Senator Penny Wright, said she was extremely concerned by the Mental Health Council of Australia study Consumer and Carer Experiences of Stigma from Mental Health and Other Health Professionals, which revealed that some mental health or other health professionals held similar stigmatising views about mental illness as the general public.
“This is very concerning. Stigma – labelling, shunning, judging - can be extremely debilitating. It is bad enough when it comes from the general public but it would be even more powerful when it comes from those who are supposed to be of help and guidance to patients,” Senator Wright said.
“Getting such a negative response from health professionals would significantly impair the doctor-patient relationship and undermine a patient’s treatment and recovery.
“For a doctor, a patient’s mental health should be as great a concern to them as their physical health.
“The medical profession, led by the Australian Medical Association, needs to show leadership on this issue to ensure people with a mental illness are treated appropriately, compassionately and without judgement.
“And training organisations, such as universities, must also play a leadership role in preparing their students for assisting the 20 per cent of Australians who experience mental ill-health in any year.”
Media contact – Jennifer Maisel 0417 173 508