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Stigma Against Mental Health

Decent Essays

Throughout history, the stigma against mental illness has always been present and that is still the case today. Although views on mental illness differ across cultures, the stigma is almost always present. The mindset that people with mental illness are dangerous is startlingly common and is incredibly harmful. Imprisoning people with mental illness is not effective and only furthers the problem of stigma. Viewing people with mental illness as violent is a harmful cross-cultural view because it adds to the already present stigma, results in discrimination, and can lead to higher rates of suicide.
The stigma against mental illness is very widespread but is more present in certain countries. For example, a 2015 study in Singapore found that “9 …show more content…

This could be because they don’t want others to find out, or they don’t want to admit to themselves that they are sick. “‘I got so scared. Psychiatrist? What about the rest of her life? How will I get her married?’ (Kennedy)” Even though one has access to mental health care, they may avoid utilizing it for fear of social ostracization. Even the promise of improving their mental health is outweighed by the crushing social implications of seeking mental health treatment. Not seeking treatment is certainly harmful: “‘When people don’t seek help for mental illness ... it affects work productivity, it affects relationships and also people try to self-help or self-heal by drinking more….’ (Philomin)” When this goes on for a long period of time, sufferers can begin to feel hopeless and resort to suicide. It is evident that rejection from society can lead to long term …show more content…

Organizations like Mend the Mind are working to end the stigma by educating the general public. Education campaigns online, in schools, and in the workplace can be useful in showing society the harmful effects of stigma. Providing this education across countries and cultures can also be very helpful in improving living conditions. While many view people with mental illness as dangerous, this is rarely the case and can cause further harm to individuals with mental illness. The stigma against mental illness is incredibly detrimental to society, causing people to avoid treatment and even take their own lives, but by educating the general public about mental health, a better world can

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