Last week, a disturbing report emerged concerning the Metropolitan police: a woman who had been manipulated by a predatory officer finally received an apology after the department chose to disseminate misinformation regarding her mental health instead of properly investigating the officer.

Using the pseudonym Lorraine, she initially reported PC Phil Hunter following a welfare check at her residence. For two years, he sent her inappropriate messages and sought to sever her ties with her friends and family as part of a “predatory” scheme aimed at establishing a sexual relationship with her.

This situation unfolded over seven years marked by negligence. Further complaints were dismissed, the Met communicated to external entities that she was fabricating her accusations, and a high-ranking officer attempted to contact her doctor, suggesting to social services that he believed she suffered from mental health issues. A recent letter from the directorate of professional standards has acknowledged that decisions may have been swayed by these unfounded beliefs.

“Predators are surely inclined to target vulnerable individuals with mental health challenges,” Lorraine remarked to the BBC. “If this had been accurate, wouldn’t they have conducted a more thorough investigation instead of overlooking it?”

Criticism has justifiably been directed at the Metropolitan police and their treatment of victims of errant officers. However, this situation reflects a broader trend. While societal stigma surrounding mental health is generally diminishing, pockets of it remain pervasive. This is starkly illustrated by how diagnoses can be used against victims of abuse.

This issue extends beyond individual cases. Reports have surfaced that numerous female service members who accused colleagues of rape were misdiagnosed with personality disorders—complicated behavioral patterns that led to their disqualification from military service. When seeking assistance for sexual assault from military healthcare professionals, they were effectively dismissed with a stigmatized diagnosis, resulting in medical discharge.

According to the charity Salute Her UK, which aids veterans struggling to transition to civilian life, out of 393 female referrals in a year, 133 had been categorized with a personality disorder. This situation mirrors an earlier scandal in the United States, reported in 2012, where rape survivors in the Marine Corps and other military branches stated they were discharged with such diagnoses. Since these conditions are classified as pre-existing, the military is not required to provide disability benefits.

Furthermore, there has been a long-standing tendency for courts to utilize the mental health records and counseling notes of crime victims to undermine their credibility. Although recent legislation has made this practice more difficult, the pattern persists.

The consequences of framing a victim as mentally ill are significant. It redirects attention away from the abuse, attributing responsibility to the victim’s perceived psychological issues rather than the actual perpetrator, who can more easily persuade others of the victim’s unreliability.

As a result, agencies and the justice system may doubt or overlook their testimonies, while the victim’s trauma remains unacknowledged, causing additional suffering. This can lead to unnecessary medical treatments, altered medical histories impacting insurance, and employment barriers.

This issue is further exacerbated by the fact that individuals with serious mental health issues are at a heightened risk of experiencing abuse. They are five times more likely to suffer assault, three times more likely to experience home-related crimes, and four times more likely to be victimized by acquaintances or family members compared to the general population. Additionally, trauma can trigger and worsen mental health conditions. Consequently, those who are aware of the stigma surrounding these disorders may be less likely to report crimes.

Where should we begin in tackling this issue? Part of the solution involves reevaluating the application of personality disorder diagnoses when treating trauma victims. Psychiatrists remain divided on whether such labels offer benefit or harm. Some view borderline personality disorder as a sexist and stigmatizing classification that can obstruct the effective treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, which many believe often underlies the symptoms.

There exists a broader issue as well. Despite numerous mental health campaigns aimed at decreasing stigma and enhancing awareness, entrenched discrimination in certain areas remains a challenge.

Over the past two decades, mental health campaigns have focused on normalizing conditions such as anxiety and depression, encouraging individuals to express their feelings and seek help. They often frame these issues in relatable terms: after all, nearly everyone has felt anxious or low at some point.

This approach has proven effective; the stigma surrounding help-seeking has diminished significantly. The Time to Change initiative, active from 2007 to 2021, successfully met its objectives of reducing stigma. Surveys reveal that three-quarters of Britons believe we need to adopt a more accepting attitude toward mental health, with 68% considering consultation with a mental health professional a sign of strength.

Yet, amidst these advancements, individuals in vulnerable situations continue to be marginalized. As awareness increases regarding milder mental health concerns, resources are diverted away from the smaller percentage of individuals who genuinely require assistance. Evidence suggests that stigma associated with severe conditions like schizophrenia remains resistant to change, even while acceptance of individuals suffering from depression grows. Media portrayals of psychosis still frequently associate it with violence.

Is it time to adopt a more focused strategy toward mental health stigma? While public awareness of issues such as loneliness, anxiety, depression, and body image has improved, enhancing societal kindness, there is an urgent need to combat discrimination within workplaces, the justice system, the military, and law enforcement against those suffering from more serious conditions. This presents a significant challenge ahead.

Martha Gill is a columnist for the Observer.

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