Our Biggest Hurdle Yet: Caregivers' Encounters with Structural Stigma in Child and Youth Mental Health

In: Families in society: the journal of contemporary human services, Band 98, Heft 4, S. 300-309

Abstract

The aim of this article explores structural stigma in child and youth mental health. The focus is on the experiences of caregivers with children between 12 and 22 years old in their encounters with the systems involved with their families for their children's mental health. The outcomes are presented of a study based on analysis of 10 transcripts—two focus group and eight interview transcripts—with 15 caregivers with children involved with mental health services. Two main themes emerged: (a) structural stigma as denigrating encounters within and across service systems (i.e., child and youth mental health, education, child protection, and criminal justice) and (b) fragmentation of the service delivery system as a significant factor exacerbating stigmatizing encounters. The implications for mental health practice with families are considered.