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Mental health problems among clinical psychologists: Stigma and its impact on disclosure and help‐seeking

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Journal of Clinical Psychology

Published online on

Abstract

--- - |2+ Abstract Objective(s) To assess the prevalence of personal experiences of mental health problems among clinical psychologists, external, perceived, and self‐stigma among them, and stigma‐related concerns relating to disclosure and help‐seeking. Method Responses were collected from 678 UK‐based clinical psychologists through an anonymous web survey consisting of the Social Distance Scale, Stig‐9, Military Stigma Scale, Secrecy Scale, Attitudes towards Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale‐Short Form, alongside personal experience and socio‐demographic questions. Results Two‐thirds of participants had experienced mental health problems themselves. Perceived mental health stigma was higher than external and self‐stigma. Participants were more likely to have disclosed in their social than work circles. Concerns about negative consequences for self and career, and shame prevented some from disclosing and help‐seeking. Conclusions Personal experiences of mental health problems among clinical psychologists may be fairly common. Stigma, concerns about negative consequences of disclosure and shame as barriers to disclosure and help‐seeking merit further consideration. - Journal of Clinical Psychology, Volume 74, Issue 9, Page 1545-1555, September 2018.