Sample NAMI Research Paper

Within the past two decades there’s been a revival in efforts to reduce stigmatization attached to mental illnesses. It was concluded that if mental illnesses were perceived better as ‘real’ diseases by the public that stigma would go down greatly. Reports proposed the idea that better scientific understanding of mental illnesses by the general public could greatly reduce stigma. Stigma is intensely rooted in social and cultural norms it’s patterns devalue and dehumanize groups of individuals within society (in this case mentally ill people). Stigma constructs barriers for individuals, barriers that limit a person’s abilities to have equal opportunities for employment, safe housing, health care and social relationships.Efforts to reduce stigma in recent years have

In the article, Changing Stigmatizing Perceptions and Recollections about Mental Illness: The Effects of NAMI’s In Our

“Stigma and Social Identity,” is one of the chapters from a book called “Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity” written by Erving Goffman that discuss in depth about stigma. Firstly, in this chapter, Goffman discuss about the origins of the word ‘stigma’ from the Greeks and Christian perspective that tend to define stigma as bodily evidence of unusualness. Nowadays, the word stigma is use to label disgrace rather than the bodily evidence of it. There are three types of stigmas; physical defects, blemishes of individual character and tribal stigmata of race, color and religion. All of these stigmas can deteriorate the claims of ‘normality’.

(Byrne). Stigma is best defined by PhD, Kristalyn Salters Pedneault, a psychologist who focuses on psychological trauma, who states, “Stigma is a perceived negative attribute that causes someone to devalue or think less of the whole person,” (Gluck). In other words, stigma is being conscious of a quality which makes someone feel flawed and disgraced. Sigma can also be viewed as prejudice, hate, and discrimination against oneself, or how others may perceive them. Stigma is everywhere, regardless if someone has a mental disorder.

While reading Erving Goffman’s book, “Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity”, Goffman give a couple definition and concept to the idea of a stigma, which is a deeply disgrace feature in an individual, although this is largely dependent on groups. Through the grouping and reference that society establishes, expectations are

Mental illness refers to a wide range of mental health disorders that can affect mood, behavior, and cognition. Multiple factors such as genetics, environment and lifestyle can influence whether someone develops a mental health condition. “The four D’s” model is often used in psychiatry to distinguish normal from “abnormal” mental state. In other words, this model makes it easier to understand characteristics of people who have a mental disorder. The four Ds stands for behaviors or thinking processes that are dangerous, dysfunctional, and can cause distress and deviation from norm (Comer, 2013). It’s the dangerous aspect that needs to be brought to attention. Because people suffering from mental illnesses can be dangerous to self or

Stigma can be defined as a mark of shame or ignominy that sets individuals apart from others. Goffman notes “Society establishes the means of categorizing persons and the complement of attributes felt to be ordinary and natural for members of each of these categories”. (Goffman) Given, when a person is labeled by said illness, disorder, or deviancy they are seen as a part of a stereotyped group and as a result are stigmatized by the “normals”. Moreover, the routines of social interactions in society allow us to create normative expectations and demands for the way ones in said society are expected to

The history of mental illness or associated disorders is one that I believe cannot be said to say that we have learned from our mistakes. While the saying “learn from the past, or we are doomed to repeat it” is one which seems to rarely apply in any political / social standpoint, so too does it rarely apply in mental illness stigmatisms. However despite the millennia which have passed for humans on this planet, we still know very little about certain mental disorders. While substantial progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of most illnesses, there are still a few practices, stereotypes, and behaviors associated to mental depravities.

Goffman (1963) argues that stigma not only affects the experiences of those in possession of the stigmatizing characteristic (the own), it also tends to spread to close family members and to others with whom the bearer of negative difference associates (the wise) (Green, S., Davis, C., Karshmer, E., Marsh, P., & Straight, B, 2005)

Stigma is a term of Greek origin that refers to something bad or unusual about a person with regards to social norms. It is so profound that it overpowers any positive social feedback regarding the way in which the individual adheres to other social norms, essentially spoiling an individuals identity (Goffman 1963).

Erving Goffman defined stigma as “the situation of the individual who is disqualified from full social acceptance” and “an undesired differentness from what we had anticipated” (Goffman, 1963). According to Thornicroft, Rose, Kassam, and Sartorius (2007), stigma comprises ignorance (lack of knowledge), prejudice (stigmatizing attitudes), and discrimination (being treated unfairly, a behavior concept). The Haghighat (2001) model of public stigma represents people’s social and psychological reactions to someone perceived to have a stigmatized condition. According to this model, stigmatization has three components: cognitive (based on stereotypes such as “schizophrenics are violent”), affective (fear and anxiety), and behavioral (avoidance and discrimination). (p. 251)

Mental illness stigma may be defined as “a cluster of negative attitudes and beliefs that motivate the general public to fear, reject, avoid, and discriminate against people with mental illnesses” (Hogan, 2003, p.1467). There are three types of stigma; structural stigma, social stigma, and self-stigma. Structural stigma refers to policies that limit

The word stigma has been re-defined all throughout history. The Greeks first originated the term stigma, they referred to it as “bodily signs designed to expose something unusual and bad about the moral status of the signifier.” Such bodily signs include a cuts or burns, such things insinuated said person was a slave, a criminal, or a traitor, and if you had a pimple you were unclean. Later on the term took up yet another meaning. Christians used stigma to define both bodily signs of “holy grace” and physical abnormalities. In modern times, this term can be less physical and more social related. As Goffman explained in his essay, first impressions are everything in today’s society. One issue regarding stigma in the media deals with controlling

Stigma is a point of disgrace that breaks a person apart from normal people. When a person is labelled by their past karma they are seen as a part of a stereotyped group.

Many people often have stereotypes or stigmas regarding mental illnesses. There is a general public stigma that is overall expressed by people who may not have full knowledge over the importance of mental health. When referring to the stigma, people will usually say that those with mental illnesses are irresponsible, should be cared for, or should be feared and kept out of the direct community. All of these stigmas having to do with mental illnesses are false. Many people with mental illnesses are able to hold stable jobs, graduate from high school and college, and even live as good neighbors in a community. By creating this stigma, people are adding to the everyday challenges that people with mental illnesses are going through. We should aim to educate and stop the prejudice that is brought about by those who are not fully aware of the importance of mental health.