Psychological distress is a non-specific negative state that involves feelings related to depression and anxiety (Dohrenwend et al., 1980). Mad Studies understands mental distress as an experience shaped by social, economic, and cultural factors, rather than purely as a medical condition. This perspective advocates for recognizing and accommodating the unique needs of individuals experiencing distress within various social contexts. It is seen as a valid human experience that reflects the broader issues of oppression and marginalization in society. Mental distress can arise from various factors including trauma, discrimination, and social inequities (Timander and Möller, 2018).

In Canada, 20% of Canadians aged above 15 years old experience an increasing level of psychological distress (Caron and Liu, 2010). Individuals experiencing mental distress often face compounded challenges due to intersecting oppressions such as discrimination towards gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, social class, and age. For example, gendered disablism highlights how women experiencing mental distress often face additional discrimination based on gender norms and expectations (Timander and Möller, 2018). The social determinants of mental distress, such as poverty, lack of housing, and inadequate healthcare, highlight the need for policies that address these root causes. Addressing mental distress through a social justice lens involves tackling these broader structural inequities to improve overall mental health outcomes.  

Individuals with disability are 20 times more likely to be prone to a high level of mental distress, with individuals experiencing combined disability with mental health conditions (AIHW, 2016). For those experiencing mental distress, access to services can be a critical issue because the requirement to identify as disabled to receive accommodations can create barriers. For example, traditional mental health services may not consider the socio-economic context of an individual’s distress, leading to inadequate or inappropriate care (Beresford, 2015). There are other reasons why individuals may not receive workplace accommodations: first, they concern about stigma associated with mental illness; they have a poor relationship with their employers/supervisors; they do not believe that the accommodation would help; they are afraid that requesting accommodations would further burden the employer or other staff; They are not sure if they had the right to request accommodations; and fear that it may compromise their future with the company (Bolo et. al., 2013). It is suggested that the future research should focus not only on what accommodations are needed but also the reasons why the employees do not get the accommodations they need.

The recognition of mental distress within the framework of disability rights, as endorsed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), provides a legal basis for ensuring these accommodations and services. This includes flexible work schedules, access to mental health services, and supportive community networks. Accommodations are essential for supporting individuals to participate fully in society and maintain their well-being. Community-based approaches and peer support networks have shown promise in providing more responsive and comprehensive care. These approaches emphasize the importance of understanding the individual’s lived experience and providing support that is culturally and socially relevant (Jones and Kelly, 2015). The top two accommodations are exchanging minor tasks with colleagues and changing the tasks (Bolo et. al., 2013). 

AIHW (2016). Health status and risk factors of Australians with disability 2007-08 and 2011-12. (Cat. non. DIS 65). Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Balogh, R., Leonard, H., Bourke, J., Brameld, K., Downs, J., Hansen, M., Glasson, E., Lin, E., Lloyd, M., Lunsky, Y., O'Donnell, M., Shooshtari, S., Wong, K., & Krahn, G. (2019/10). Data Linkage: Canadian and Australian Perspectives on a Valuable Methodology for Intellectual and Developmental Disability Research. [Enlace de Datos: Perspectivas Canadienses y Australianas sobre una Metodología Valiosa para la Investigación de la Discapacidad Intelectual y del Desarrollo] Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 57(5), 439-462. https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-57.5.439

Bruce P. Dohrenwend et al. (1980). Nonspecific Psychological Distress and Other Dimensions of Psychopathology: Measures for Use in the General Population. Archives of General Psychiatry 37(11). pp. 1229–1236.

Garcia, G. M., David, E. J. R., & Mapaye, J. C. (2019). Internalized Racial Oppression as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Experiences of Racial Discrimination and Mental Distress Among Asians and Pacific Islanders. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 10(2), 103–112. https://doi.org/10.1037/aap0000124

Hermaszewska, S., Sweeney, A., Camminga, B., Botelle, R., Elliott, K., & Sin, J. (2022). Lived experiences of transgender forced migrants and their mental health outcomes: systematic review and meta-ethnography. BJPsych Open, 8(3), e91–e91. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2022.51 

J. Caron and A. Liu. (2010). A Descriptive Study of the Prevalence of Psychological Distress and Mental Disorders in the Canadian Population: Comparison Between Low-Income and Non-Low-Income Populations. Chronic Diseases in Canada 30(3). pp. 84–94.

Jones, N., & Kelly, T. (2015). Inconvenient complications: on the heterogeneities of madness and their relationship to disability. In Madness, Distress and the Politics of Disablement (pp. 43–56). Policy Press. https://doi.org/10.51952/9781447314592.ch003

Kira, I. A., Alawneh, A.-W. N., Aboumediene, S., Lewandowski, L., & Laddis, A. (2014). Dynamics of Oppression and Coping From Traumatology Perspective: The Example of Palestinian Adolescents. Peace and Conflict, 20(4), 385–411. https://doi.org/10.1037/pac0000053

Peter Beresford. (2015). Distress and disability: not you, not me, but us? In Madness, distress and the politics of disablement (1st ed., pp. 245-). Policy Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt1t898sg.22

Phillips, N. L., Adams, G., & Salter, P. S. (2015). Beyond Adaptation: Decolonizing Approaches to Coping With Oppression. Journal of Social and Political Psychology, 3(1), 365–387. https://doi.org/10.5964/jspp.v3i1.310

Timander, A.-C., & Möller, A. (2018). The issue of gender in relation to mental distress : reflections on the gendered character of disability and resistance. Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research : SJDR, 20(1).

Vanhala, L., & Kinghan, J. (2022). The “madness” of accessing justice: legal mobilisation, welfare benefits and empowerment. The Journal of Social Welfare & Family Law, 44(1), 22–41. https://doi.org/10.1080/09649069.2022.2028407

Spandler, H., Anderson, J., & Sapey, B. (Eds.). (2015). Madness, distress and the politics of disablement. Policy Press.