Disclosure of Own Crisis And Treatment Experiences By Staff Of Psychiatric Institutions In BerLin And Brandenburg - An Underused Resource For Reducing Stigma?

Abstract

This article is part of the EKB-study which explores lived crisis and treatment experiences of mental health professionals in Berlin and Brandenburg. It addresses the disclosure of mental health workers' lived experiences in their workplace. An online survey was conducted among 182 mental health professionals, containing questions on disclosure of lived experiences. Data were analyzed descriptively and analytically. Participants reported disclosure mainly to supervisors and affiliated colleagues. Experiences were mostly positive, with severe negative exceptions. Central motives against disclosure were fear of vulnerability, fear of compromising professional identity, and shame. Disclosure of lived crisis experiences is not always the proper strategy for mental health professionals. Disclosure may be a means of reducing public and internalized stigma.