Viewpoint survey of mental health service users’ experiences of discrimination in England 2008–2014

OBJECTIVE: Discrimination reported by mental health service users in England is high. The study aims to determine changes in mental health‐related discrimination from 2008 to 2014. METHODS: Samples of mental health service users were interviewed from 2008 to 2014 using the Discrimination and Stigma Scale version 12. Social capital in terms of access to social resources is a marker of discrimination in terms of effects on social connections, and so from 2011, social capital also measured using the Resource Generator‐UK. RESULTS: Fewer participants reported discrimination in one or more life areas in 2014 compared to 2008 (OR: 0.58, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.94 P = 0.03). A weighted multiple regression model found a decrease in overall discrimination in 2014 compared to 2008 (mean difference: −13.55, 95% CI: −17.32 to −9.78, P < 0.001). There was not a consistent in discrimination decline between each year. No differences in access to social resources were found. CONCLUSIONS: Discrimination has fallen significantly over 2008–2014, although there was not a consistent decline between years. There is no evidence that social capital has increased.