Stigma Affecting A Person's Death

Stigma can be expressed in various term, it can be a brand, labelling or identification. It is a differentiation of a person resulting to a boundary between “us” and “them” (Link and Phelan 2001). These affect consumers in a way they are discriminated and treated differently because they have mental illness. The effect of stigma can take away the rights of consumers who are suffering from mental illness causing social dilemmas (SANE Australia 2013). A survey shows 74% of consumers experience stigma from school, work, and social activities. Consumers had only one feedback, to reduce stigma so they can go with their life peacefully and engage in normal social activities without discrimination (SANE Australia 2006). It is

Legislation in New Zealand such as The Human Rights Act 1993, section 21 and the Employment Rights Act 1997 are in place to prohibit the discrimination on the grounds of mental illness in areas such as housing, training, education and employment. The incidence of stigma and discrimination in these areas is however still continuing to be an issue for those with a mental illness. It has become apparent through large amounts of research that most incidences of stigma and discrimination are usually reported through research studies and surveys (Peterson & Barnes & Duncan 2008; Newell & Gournay, 2000). El-Badri & Mellsop (2007) suggest that most research on stigma tends to center on attitudes and beliefs of the public and how they view those with a mental illness. Much less emphasis on research has involved the personal experience, self-stigma and quality of life of the person with the illness and how they fit within the community. Badri & Mellsop's (2007) study Stigma and quality of life as experienced by

Although stigmatizing attitudes are not only relatable to mental illness, the public attitudes towards mental illness tend to be more disapproving than towards people with physical illnesses (Piner and Kahle, 1984; Socall and Holtgraves, 1992; Weiner, Perry and Magnusson, 1988). Those with mental illnesses are viewed as being more likely to be responsible for their mental illness (Corrigan et al., 2000; 105). This assumptions is more towards those who suffer from substance additions and eating disorders rather than those who suffer from conditions such as schizophrenia (Angermeyer and Matschinger, 2004). Such attitudes as these therefore lead to discrimination. People in society are less likely to employ (Bordieri and Drehmer, 1986) and rent apartments (Page, 1977) to those suffering from mental illness, citizens are also more likely to direct false accusations of violence to the mentally ill. (Explaining the increased arrest rate among mental patients: a cautionary note, 1980; Steadman, 1981)

While stigma may not necessarily be a cause of a person’s mental disorder, it can certainly contribute to the complication and perpetuation of their illness. The effect of stigma goes well beyond just the patient and provides a commentary on society’s overall level of intolerance of those who are considered different from the majority. By recognizing the level of stigma that exists, perhaps we can alter that behavior and gravitate towards a more productive attitude towards mental illness.

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

Stigma and discrimination is negative aspect experienced by mentally ill patients it is a barrier that prevents them from living a normal life therefore it is vital to safe guard and advocate for them to maintain a normal life (Equality Act,

In 1968 the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) updated the definition of schizophrenia to include hostility, aggressiveness, and lack of acceptance of oneself. The next social, or cultural influence is that of stigma against mental illness in our daily lives. These attitudes play on decisions made in our lives that affect the larger world. In a recent poll released by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) finds misconceptions to be prominent by American society. “Slightly more than 70 percent of those surveyed would be afraid for their own safety around a person who has not received treatment for schizophrenia, and 21 percent would be afraid for their own safety around a person who had been treated for the disorder, according to the results” (American Psychiatric Association, 2011).

Socio-economic factors such as standard of living, economic infrastructure, diet, environmental disasters, war, sexual pervasiveness, disease etc all interconnect to affect the way in which they frame an individual’s experience of death and dying. The unequal distribution of resource throughout the world and the differing levels of food shortage, disease, war and natural disasters need to be taken into account when considering how health care workers can improve the needs of people who are dying.

Stigma has been said to be “a feeling of being negatively differentiated owing to a particular condition, group membership or state in life”(Arboleda-Florez & Stuart, 2012, p. 458). There are typically two types of mental illness stigma that are discussed. Public stigma, also known as societal stigma, is the stigma associated with the prejudicial attitudes the public holds towards those people who suffer from mental illness (Arboleda-Florez & Stuart, 2012; Corrigan, Markowitz, Watson, Rowan & Kubiak, 2003). Self-stigma, also known as internalized stigma, is the loss of self-esteem, withdrawal, and personal shame that some with mental illness will experience. Self-stigma is usually developed when those who suffer from mental illness associate the negative stereotypes the public holds with themselves (Chronister, Chou, & Lieo, 2013; Corrigan et al., 2003).

Reflective writing piece, Stigma and mental health Stigma is “a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person” (press, 2015). In this discussion I will reflect upon my own understanding of stigma with regard to mental health; using my experiences from community learning, meeting people affected by mental illness, and others with learning disabilities. I attended a workshop run by ‘Cardiff people first’, an organization which promotes self advocacy and community advocacy, run by people with learning disabilities, for people with learning disabilities (Cardiff people first). This gives their community a voice and provides a platform to change attitudes, get better services and find more opportunities; their key goals are to provide understanding, acceptance, respect and equality for people who,

Mental health and its stigma are an important issue plaguing today’s society. Many do not understand or acknowledge the severity of mental illness. The stigma against mental

She identified five themes from the patients’ description of schizophrenia: (a) schizophrenia is a complicated illness, (b) schizophrenia is a mystery, (c) schizophrenia is a lost life, (d) schizophrenia is a dynamic journey towards recovery, and (e) schizophrenia is a developmental process of recovery. This study also revealed that patients felt stigmatized and humiliated due to negative attitudes from society (38). Ertugrul and Ulug (37) indicated that severity of symptoms is linked to perception of stigma, meaning that patients with more severe symptoms perceived more stigma than patients with less symptoms. Yildiz and colleagues (39) recruited 167 individuals with schizophrenia, 45 relatives of individuals with schizophrenia, and 86 individuals with major depressive disorder to examine self-stigma among individuals with schizophrenia, their relatives and individuals with major depressive disorder. Individuals with schizophrenia were found to have higher level of self-stigma than those with major depressive disorder (39). Yilmaz and Okanli (40) recruited 63 patients with schizophrenia to examine the effect of internalized stigma on the adherence to treatment. Their findings revealed that internalized stigma had a negative impact on the treatment adherence and attitude toward the treatment among individuals with schizophrenia.

There are many stigmas, or misconceptions and misperceptions in our society which need to be shattered. I believe that one of the worse possible effects of stigma is that it causes those affected by psychological disorders, or mental illness, to crawl more deeply into themselves because it provokes a sense of shame. Stigma thrusts those suffering with mental illness into a sense of isolation, social exclusion, and discrimination. “Stigma can lead to discrimination … It may be obvious or direct … Or it may be unintentional or subtle…” (Staff). Stigma is often as big as the illness itself and I confess to having been a perpetuator of this dreaded thing, although not consciously aware and without the intent of furthering the harm of someone.

Death is an inevitable part of life for all that dwell in the mortal realm. As such, it is important to not dwell on thine own death, lest you secede unto fear and eternal suffering. Whilst it might be inconvenient to know when your untimely demise will come to pass, it may be beneficial to know the year, month, day, hour, minute, second, location and cause of death. Both sides of the coin are just as equally appealing as the other. Knowledge and Ignorance of death are gods of opinion, with each hand weighted by pros and cons .

“I want to be able to talk to someone in a pub and say ‘I have been mentally ill’ and for them to say ‘That’s interesting, what did you experience?’”, said a survivor from the UK in 1997 (Sayce 18). Almost twenty years later and this man 's wish still has not come true. People may ask why, and the answer is because of the stigma that comes along with having a mental illness. Mental illness is something not often talked about because of the fear of being judged. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in every four Americans has a mental illness, and only about 40% of them seek professional help (Hamid). People are being put into mental institutions instead of getting the help that they need to get better, because even people in the medical field are not understanding about this situation because they do not understand how it feels. The stigma and stereotypes towards mental illnesses are overwhelming, therefore people should be made aware of their impact and take steps to reduce stigma and stereotypes.