Honoring Dignity: Learning from Narratives to Dismantle Shame and Mitigate Mental Health Discrimination in Healthcare

Individuals with serious mental illness die 20 years earlier than the general population and are more than twice as likely to die from cancer. Adults with mental illness are less likely to get needed cancer care and frequently excluded from research, yet this disparity remains understudied. We developed a person-centered collaborative care model for mental illness and new cancers and conducted a randomized trial that demonstrated decreased cancer care disruptions. At Radcliffe, I will examine the narratives of patients, caregivers, and clinicians who participated in the trial.

We will apply qualitative research methods to highlight the strengths and dignity of a population that is frequently excluded from cancer care and research. The project aims to develop creative strategies regarding how narratives can decrease shame and mitigate mental health discrimination.

This project offers students the opportunity to examine the process of cancer and mental health care delivery and to amplify the perspectives of patients who may frequently be silenced. Students will gain expertise in qualitative research methods and disseminating research findings beyond academic settings. The project would benefit from the energy and creativity of research partners who are interested in using narratives to change perspectives and promote human rights.