The Usefulness and Effects of Mental Health Diagnoses: Examining Public Stigma and Attitudes about Utility

Systematic Literature Review

A systematic literature review was undertaken to examine the impact of ‘depression’ labels on public stigma. Seventeen papers including 19 studies were reviewed and their findings synthesised. The results revealed that the nature of findings within this area are heterogeneous, and the available literature possesses multiple methodological implications. However, there is some initial evidence to suggest that ‘depression’ labels can function as stigmatising phenomena. These labels do not always induce non-blaming understandings, are ineffective at signalling that a person may require support, and have negative impacts related to employment. The implications of conceptualising ‘depression’ as an ‘illness’ and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Empirical Research Project

Given the polarised and heated debates about the usefulness of mental health diagnoses, a Q-methodological study was undertaken with the aim of drawing out more nuanced views. Thirty-nine people who had worked in or accessed mental health services, or were academics within this field, sorted 57 statements about the usefulness of mental health diagnoses based on their viewpoints. Three attitudes were identified. ‘The Medicalisation of Human Experience’ reflected the view that diagnoses lack validity and are only useful for entities such as pharmaceutical companies. ‘Illnesses Like Any Other’ encompassed the attitude that diagnoses represent valid disorders and possess utility in relation to various areas. However different diagnoses can be stigmatising when poorly understood by others. ‘Imperfect Short-Hands’ represented the viewpoint that diagnoses are constructs which offer a general reflection of someone’s distress, but their utility varies on a case-by-case basis. The findings offer an alternative to current polarised debates and may support professionals to facilitate open discussions about attitudes towards diagnoses with clients.