The Reality of Ableism in Mental Health Education

A glaring omission from many mental health professionals' educations is the reality of ableism. It can be extremely damaging for those who need help but don't fit the mold of "normal." Too often, classes in grad school and other professional training programs ignore this critical topic. It needs to be addressed if we are to provide the best care to everyone who comes to us seeking help.

For disabled people, ableism isn't just a thing that exists in society. It can be found in almost all aspects of life, particularly when it comes to receiving medical care and accessing public services. This is why learning more about ableism should be a mandatory course of study for mental health professionals. Without an understanding of ableism and its effects on the individuals they work with, it's difficult to provide competent care.

Ableism is based on false assumptions about disability—the idea that disabled people are inherently inferior to non-disabled people or somehow too broken or deficient to live a normal life. This can manifest as an unconscious belief that disabled people cannot do or contribute anything of value in the world; that there's something wrong with them that must be fixed or managed. The truth is that disabled people have just as much potential for happiness and success as anyone else—they just need the proper support and resources to make their dreams come true.

Unfortunately, when it comes to mental health treatment, ableist rhetoric can be incredibly restricting and disempowering. This is because therapists often push for the disabled individual to adapt to "normal" standards of health and wellness, rather than listening to them and offering services tailored to their specific needs. For example, a therapist who doesn't understand how managing a physical disability affects an individual's emotional wellbeing is likely to suggest treatments focused solely on reducing symptoms instead of addressing underlying causes. This kind of thinking overlooks the fact that some disabilities require a unique approach to treatment.

Ableism can also lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and unworthiness in disabled individuals who sense they aren't being truly seen or accepted. This can prevent them from seeking out help or engaging in regular self-care activities, such as exercise or therapy sessions. Sadly, this means that the mental health issues that caused them to seek help in the first place may be getting worse.

It's vital that our mental health professionals have a firm grasp on the complexities of ableism and understand its profound impact on disabled people. Ignoring this subject in our clinical training is doing a disservice to individuals seeking help and perpetuating misinformation about disabilities and how they interact with mental health issues. We must challenge these problematic assumptions and beliefs by openly discussing them in our clinical settings and equipping students with the tools they need to navigate these conversations confidently and compassionately.

We can create a more inclusive culture by diversifying our faculty and increasing representation among our student body. Incorporating the lived experiences of disabled people into our curriculums would foster greater understanding and appreciation for the unique needs of this population and encourage more authentic connection between clinicians and clients. There is still so much work to be done when it comes to creating meaningful change, but increased understanding of ableism should be the first step towards real, lasting inclusion for disabled people everywhere.