3.3. Explain the impact of these attitudes on individuals and their care

This guide will help you answer 3.3. Explain the impact of these attitudes on individuals and their care.

Attitudes play a powerful role in health and social care. Positive and negative attitudes towards mental health can shape the way individuals experience support and treatment. Understanding their impact is essential in delivering effective care.

Types of Attitudes

Attitudes towards mental health vary greatly. They can be influenced by culture, personal beliefs, upbringing, and education. These attitudes can be grouped into two main categories:

• Positive attitudes – Empathy, understanding, and a commitment to support.
• Negative attitudes – Stigma, stereotyping, and discrimination.

Both types of attitudes can significantly affect individuals and the quality of support they receive. Positive attitudes can foster an environment of understanding and encouragement, leading to better outcomes and enhanced well-being. Conversely, negative attitudes can create barriers, resulting in feelings of isolation and discouragement. Ultimately, it is crucial to recognize the power of attitudes affecting individual perceptions, as they play a pivotal role in shaping experiences and interactions within various support systems.

How Negative Attitudes Affect Individuals

Negative attitudes can cause real harm to individuals with mental health needs. Below are some of the most common impacts.

Stigma and Isolation

Stigma arises when people judge individuals based on their mental health condition. This can lead to feelings of shame, embarrassment, or humiliation.

For example:

• A person with depression might feel judged as being “lazy” or “weak.”
• Someone with psychosis might be unfairly labelled as “dangerous.”

Over time, this stigma may cause isolation. Individuals fear being judged, so they withdraw from social situations. This can deepen feelings of loneliness and worsen their mental health.

Reluctance to Seek Help

When negative attitudes are common, individuals may avoid seeking help. They might feel they won’t be believed, respected, or treated equally.

Examples include:

• A person delaying therapy due to concerns about being labelled “unstable.”
• Someone struggling silently because they worry their condition might affect their job.

This delay in access to support can lead to worsening conditions, making recovery harder.

Internalised Shame

Negative views can impact an individual’s self-esteem. Over time, a person may start adopting these attitudes, even against themselves.

For instance:

• A person with anxiety feeling “less than” because society values confidence.
• A young person with eating disorders feeling unworthy due to societal beauty standards.

Internalised shame can make people feel they are to blame for their condition, increasing emotional pain and impeding recovery.

How Negative Attitudes Impact Care

Attitudes also shape the way care is delivered. Negative attitudes can lead to poor practice, discomfort, or even neglect.

Reduced Quality of Care

Health and social care workers holding negative views may unintentionally deliver lower standards of care. For instance:

• Treating mental health conditions less seriously than physical conditions.
• Failing to listen to an individual’s concerns or dismissing them as “attention-seeking.”

This can damage trust, making the individual reluctant to continue treatment.

Prejudice in Care Decisions

Discrimination can lead to choices that affect the person’s well-being. A person living with schizophrenia, for example, might be denied equal opportunities or a role in decisions about their care. These prejudices block individuals from receiving appropriate, person-centred care.

Positive Attitudes and Their Impact

Adopting positive attitudes can transform the mental health journey for people accessing care. Here’s how they make a difference:

Building Trust and Rapport

Empathy and understanding strengthen the relationship between the individual and the support worker. When someone feels they are truly listened to, they are more likely to open up and engage in treatment.

Examples include:

• Showing patience and compassion when someone is explaining their feelings.
• Avoiding judgement, especially when discussing sensitive or personal issues.

This trust empowers individuals to seek help earlier and remain committed to their care plan.

Reducing Shame and Normalising Support

Positive attitudes can help individuals see mental health struggles as normal and something that can improve with the right help.

Support workers who encourage openness send the message that seeking support is courageous and valuable. This can shift societal views and dismantle stigma.

Promoting Recovery

A positive approach focuses on abilities and strengths rather than limitations. This leads to encouraging goals that are achievable and personalised. An individual feels motivated when they are supported without judgement and set up for success.

For instance:

• Encouraging a person with anxiety to celebrate small victories like stepping outside.
• Helping someone with depression rebuild their daily routine step by step.

Practical Actions to Promote Positive Attitudes

Support workers shape attitudes within their environment. Here are some strategies to foster positive experiences for individuals receiving care:

Review Personal Beliefs

Reflect on any unconscious biases you might hold. This involves questioning stereotypes and seeking reliable education on mental health issues.

Example:

• If you assume anxiety is “just worrying too much,” educate yourself on its physical and emotional toll.

Use Non-Stigmatising Language

How you speak to and about individuals matters. Avoid words that carry negative connotations. Instead, use respectful and empowering language.

For example:

• Replace “sufferer” with “someone living with.”
• Avoid labels like “crazy” or “psycho.”

Training

Engage with training opportunities centred on mental health awareness. This boosts your understanding and equips you with the tools to challenge negative attitudes.

Advocacy

Stand against stigma whenever you encounter it. Whether it’s small steps like correcting misinformation or encouraging your team to reassess practices.

Example:

• If a colleague dismisses someone’s concerns as “attention-seeking,” gently remind them the behaviour might be tied to an unmet need for support.

Examples of Positive Attitudes in Practice

Real-world examples can show the powerful effects of positive attitudes in care:

Scenario 1: Patience leads to breakthrough

Imagine supporting a young adult with social anxiety. They struggle to maintain eye contact and speak in short sentences. Instead of rushing them, you offer time and encouragement. Gradually, they begin to open up, trusting that you won’t force them to talk or judge them for their condition.

Scenario 2: Belief in change builds success

A woman recovering from postnatal depression feels she has lost control of her household routines. You help her prioritise small daily tasks like preparing a meal. Your encouragement helps her regain confidence and independence over time.

Impact on Organisational Culture

When the workforce holds positive attitudes, it sets a standard for the organisation. This creates an environment where individuals feel supported and respected, regardless of their condition.

Positive organisational outcomes include:

• Higher levels of engagement from people receiving care.
• Better teamwork amongst staff.
• Reduced absences caused by fear of discussing personal mental health needs.

Key Challenges in Shifting Attitudes

Unfortunately, attitudes don’t change overnight. Barriers in this area can include:

• Lack of awareness – Misconceptions often stem from limited education on mental health.
• Cultural factors – In some cultures, mental health conditions are stigmatised more heavily.
• System pressures – Heavy workloads or lack of training can keep care practices from improving.

As a support worker, you can address some of these challenges by staying informed and speaking up about gaps in practice when possible.

Conclusion

Attitudes, whether positive or negative, deeply affect individuals with mental health needs and the care they receive. Negative attitudes risk alienating and harming individuals, while positive attitudes foster trust, understanding, and recovery.

As a support worker, you hold the power to challenge negative views and inspire change in how mental health is treated. Small steps, such as using respectful language, listening without judgement, or attending training, can make a huge difference. Above all, treating every individual with dignity and humanity helps create a world that values mental well-being equally to physical health.