Stigmatisation
Stigmatisation is the exclusion and devaluation of people or groups who do not meet the normative expectations of society. It takes place on many levels and is not always conscious and intentional. Stigmatisation can lead to discrimination and vice versa.
Although mental illness and neurodivergence are so common, those affected still face stigma. Their impairment also always means having to deal with the reactions of those around them. These reactions are characterised by culturally prevalent ideas, prejudices and stereotypes. For example, people with depression or addiction often hear that they „just lack the necessary self-discipline“, people with ADHD are all „restless fidgets“ and people on the autism spectrum are „reclusive maths geniuses“. These attributions are unfair and painful.
Stigmatisation is therefore also referred to as a „second illness“, which is added to the symptoms and burdens of the actual illness and is sometimes perceived as just as stressful. It can not only hinder the healing process, but often also early diagnosis and treatment, because those affected withdraw for fear of being ostracised and do not confide in anyone.
Self-stigma can also be a burden. If you have learnt to judge yourself for not „functioning“ psychologically or neurologically as you are expected to, this can result in shame, frustration and low self-esteem. If you can’t attend classes because of a broken leg, you’ll probably be kinder to yourself than if you’re absent for a few weeks because of a depressive episode.
Discrimination
Discrimination is the unequal treatment and disadvantaging of individuals or groups on the basis of a negatively connoted characteristic, e.g. a health impairment.
On the one hand, there is structural, indirect discrimination through institutionalised processes and structures, e.g. the rejection of applicants in the application process for a job/internship if they disclose their impairment. Secondly, individual, direct discrimination on an interpersonal level: at least one person excludes one or more other people on the basis of negatively connoted characteristics (e.g. a student is excluded from conversations by fellow students because of the way they speak or behave, or is spoken to in a derogatory manner).
One of the biggest fears when disclosing a health impairment is discrimination by others. Not all fellow students, lecturers and university staff have had experiences with the topics of mental illness and neurodivergence. Some may have prejudices or do not know how to behave towards you. They may show less understanding than hoped, distance themselves from you due to uncertainty or treat you differently or won’t take your impairment and study adjustments seriously. In most cases, prejudices or a lack of knowledge influence this behaviour. You can then try to refute these prejudices by providing information about your impairment. At the same time, it is not your job to educate people and you decide how much energy you can and want to spend on it.
You have the right to study in an environment free from discrimination and with equal opportunities – this is guaranteed by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the German Basic Law, federal and state laws on equality for persons with disabilities, the Framework Act on Higher Education, and state higher education laws. In reality, discrimination due to health impairments unfortunately still exists. Find out about your rights and the possibilities for equal opportunities at your university. If you are unsure whether you have been affected by discrimination, first collect and check all the facts and also talk to others about how they would categorise what has happened. If necessary, get professional support from a counselling centre.