Stigma by association in mental health nursing

This research study commissioned by See Me on behalf of Scottish Government and the Mental Health Nursing Leads Group contributes to addressing current challenges in the recruitment and retention of mental health nurses by investigating if (and how) stigma surrounding mental health nursing is a factor in recruitment and retention of the workforce. This research forms the first stage of a three-phase project to understand and address stigma by association in mental health nursing. The study described in this report explores the nature and scale of stigma by association within Scotland’s mental health nursing workforce, the extent to which it impacts on nurses’ experiences and what can be done to address it. The research study comprises a mixed-methods survey, and follow-up focus groups and interviews with people who have previously or are currently working in or studying mental health nursing in Scotland.