Stigmatisation of Psychiatrists: Experiences of Psychiatrists and Psychiatric Registrars in Western Australia

Stigmatisation among mental health professionals can have a significant impact on individuals who work in the area, and on recruitment of people into the mental health workforce. This study aimed to investigate the source, type, and impact of positive and negative comments, attitudes, and behaviours experienced by psychiatrists and psychiatric registrars. Thirty psychiatrists and registrars responded to a survey. Results indicated that negative experiences were reported at a significantly higher frequency compared with positive experiences. Other psychiatrists contributed positively to experiences regarding their profession in mental health. In contrast, doctors from other specialties and the media contributed negatively. Notwithstanding these negative experiences, there was high morale among respondents. This survey has shown that despite gains in addressing stigma towards mental illness within the community, stigma towards psychiatrists remains a significant issue. Psychiatry as a profession needs to address this in order to enable the discipline to overcome these damaging negative attitudes.