Another weakness to consider is the stigma and bias that those with mental health disorders and substance use disorders experience in the healthcare system.
The bias and stigma come directly from healthcare professionals.
I know firsthand the effects of stigma and bias on patients because I have been working in health care for 22 years; 19 of those years have been serving people with mental health and substance use disorders.
As a healthcare professional, I have been guilty of perpetrating stigma and fell victim to my own bias while serving this population.
The irony is that for 20 years I, myself, have been on a journey with five mental health diagnoses: bipolar II disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and alcohol abuse disorder.
