Disclosure: What is the point and for whom?

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Research
• Social Psychology of Disclosure
• Lived Experience Studies

Background:

• Mental health discourse increasingly emphasizes disclosure.
• Many individuals with mental illness share personal experiences publicly.
• The act of disclosure is a significant aspect of contemporary mental health narratives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the context and motivations behind mental health disclosure.
• To assess the current understanding of disclosure in mental health.
• To align existing knowledge with the prevailing discourse on mental health disclosure.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review of scientific literature on disclosure.
• Inclusion of experience-based knowledge and personal insights.
• Analysis of the discourse surrounding mental health disclosure.

Main Results:

• Limited scientific and experiential data exists on the benefits and costs of disclosure.
• Evidence suggests mixed outcomes and potential personal risks associated with disclosure.
• Numerous unanswered questions remain regarding mental health disclosure.

Conclusions:

• Contextualizing disclosure is essential, requiring professionals to understand various strategies and dilemmas.
• Individuals with lived experience must retain autonomy over their disclosure planning and patterns.
• Empowering individuals in their disclosure journey is paramount.