I posted this elsewhere, but it fits here as its own thread.

"People with lived experience of a mental illness commonly report feeling devalued, dismissed, and dehumanized by many of the health professionals with whom they come into contact."*

This behavior is so widespread and can be so egregious that it should be criminal due to the harm caused. However, it is at least unlawful in terms of civil rights.

Part of the reason they do it is because THEY CONTINUALLY GET AWAY WITH IT. For anyone who can, consider filing a complaint if you think you were discriminated against for having a mental health condition.

Here is information about healthcare discrimination:

1. U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHS)

Discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, or religion by entities receiving federal financial assistance from DHS; violation of rights under the federal health care provider conscience protection statutes; or violation of the HIPAA Privacy Rule, HIPAA Security Rule, or the confidentiality provisions of the Patient Safety Rule. File a civil rights complaint with the U.S. DHS, Office for Civil Rights, electronically through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal.

File a complaint: https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf

Read more information: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/fil...int/index.html

2. The Joint Commission (TJC)

A health care organization or program that TJC accredits or certifies, including hospitals, doctor’s offices, nursing homes, office-based surgery centers, behavioral health treatment facilities, and providers of home care services. Report a patient safety event or concern about a health care organization.

File a complaint: https://www.jointcommission.org/report_a_complaint.aspx

Read more information: https://www.jointcommission.org/abou...sion_main.aspx

3. State Dept. and/or Attorney General’s Office (each state has its own; this is the state of WA)

A health professional regulated by the Washington State Department of Health, such as: a doctor, doctor’s assistant, nurse, nurse’s assistant, pharmacist, psychologist, mental health counselor, occupational therapist, or a facility or agency licensed by the Department of Health, such as: hospitals, surgery centers, home health or hospice agencies, clinics, labs, psychiatric facilities and state schools for hearing and visually impaired. Where is the Complaint Filed? Washington State Department of Health, Health Systems Quality Assurance Division.

File a complaint: https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermi...ComplaintForms

Read more information**: https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermi...aintProcess#20

**Google healthcare complaint and the name of your state to find out how to report. You may be able to file both a licensing complaint with your state regulator and a civil rights complaint with your state's attorney general's office. The links above are only an example (WA State).

You may also be able to file a complaint with your insurance company.

Here is general information on healthcare discrimination for individuals with (mental health) disabilities:

Both Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 prohibit covered health care and human service providers and institutions from discriminating against persons with disabilities in the provision of benefits or services or the conduct of programs or activities on the basis of their disability.

Section 504 applies to programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance. Title II of the ADA covers all of the services, programs, and activities conducted by public entities (state and local governments, departments, agencies, etc.), including licensing.

Disability Discrimination in Health Care and Health Services - FindLaw

How to File a Complaint Against a Health Care Provider or Facility | Disability Rights Washington

This problem is prevalent and well known, but there needs to be more research. Here is one article:

Mental illness-related stigma, including that which exists in the healthcare system and among healthcare providers, has been identified as a major barrier to access treatment and recovery, as well as poorer quality physical care for persons with mental illnesses.1–5 Stigma also impacts help-seeking behaviours of health providers themselves and negatively mediates their work environment.6–9

*https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5347358/

[Mountaindewed]

I was sick one time. I was throwing up, had a fever, severe pain in my side and my blood work was off. My doctor told me it was just my anxiety.

Yeah I feel like physicians think that because You have mental illness that it’s not possible for you to get physically sick.

I try not to tell my doctor anything. She gets mad when I bring up my concerns. I try to just get my medication and get in and out as fast as I can.

During one inpatient stay my assigned psychiatrist refused to let me out on a pass because he believed I was lying about my plans (I wanted to go Christmas shopping with my partner at the time, and the psychiatrist thought I was lying and just wanted to go home and smoke weed). Even after telling him he could test my blood afterwards to prove I hadn't smoked any, he refused. He also tried to refer me to an addictions program upon my release and I declined. I will never work with that particular psychiatrist again. It was hurtful that he thought I was lying.