Infanta Elena University Hospital addresses psychiatric stigma

The Infanta Elena University Hospital, part of the Madrid public health network, recently hosted a meeting titled “Psychiatric Stigma: A Multidimensional Problem.” The event was held as part of Mental Health Week in Valdemoro.

Participants, including patients, families, and medical professionals, discussed strategies to combat stigma through education, active listening, and inclusion. Dr. Pedro Antonio Pacheco Martínez, director of the hospital’s Clinical Bioethics Department, emphasized that a psychiatric diagnosis should not define a person’s life or dignity.

The discussion identified several common prejudices, such as associating mental disorders with violence, questioning employment capabilities, or dismissing the opinions of those diagnosed. The meeting also examined four dimensions of stigma, including structural stigma found within healthcare and labor institutions.