Stigmatization Of Mental Illness Essay

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

People with mental health issues have been viewed and treated in a variety of ways within western society throughout time. Historically if an individual displayed behaviours which disrupted their function in society and defied social norms they were viewed as lunatics, insane or even cursed (Cowan, 2008; Elder & Evans & Nizette, 2009). It is from these past issues that many people still have unreasonable thoughts about mental illness; their misconceptions have created unreasonable fears and negative attitudes toward those who experience it. This negativity brings for many the barriers of not only

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.

ts our study of the stigma related to mental health illness. There is a lack of research investigating the portrayal of psychologists, those affected by mental illness and issues of mental health; this lack of research prevents any interventions from being made to protect those at risk. “With the continued portrayals of therapy in the media, it is important to consider how these images may affect attitudes and beliefs that can contribute to help seeking behavior”. (Maier, et al., 2013, p.1). Although there is research supporting that psychological and medical treatment are effective for a broad range of mental illnesses, only around 11% of those who have a diagnosable issue will seek help (Corrigan, 2004). The researchers of this article were interested in how the media portrayal of psychologists and mental illnesses impacts those who should seek therapy, through the formation of stigma. The hypothesis of the article study is formed around the idea that turning to a professional for help is not viewed as a sign of weakness when the psychologists are viewed as trustworthy and have experience.

In many movies and television shows, mentally ill patients are portrayed as dangerous, and, as a result, are bound to the negative way they are conveyed, even outside of the media. According to the Mental Health American, “characters in prime time television portrayed as having a mental illness are depicted as the most dangerous of all demographic groups; sixty percent were shown to be involved in crime or violence.” As generations today are growing up engulfed in technology, the stereotypes demonstrated through this medium are likely to be believed, leaving the mentally ill to escape this horrible fallacy. In reality, the majority of people with mental illness are not violent. The Institute of Medicine states “the contribution of people with mental illnesses to overall rates of violence is small, and further, the magnitude of the relationship is greatly exaggerated in the minds of the general population.” It is also common to associate those with mental illness as being the perpetrators of a violent crime, rather than the victim; however, “people with psychiatric disabilities…are two and a half times more likely to be attacked, raped, or mugged than the general population” (Mental Health Reporting). Furthermore, with the increase in the use of technology, mentally ill patients continue to be illustrated as monsters that lack the moral of a “normal” human, which

One in every seventeen people in America suffers from a mental disorder. These disorders inhibit the afflicted person from functioning properly and coping normally with daily life. Many afflicted with a psychological disorder do not exhibit obvious symptoms, as medical advancements have made it possible for these disorders to be suppressed or even nonexistent. Today, however, harsh stigmas exist that unfairly categorize those with a mental illness as violent, unfriendly, and abnormal. The media and federal government are culprits in fabricating the unrealistic depictions of mental disability that define the portrayal of those who are mentally or psychologically disadvantaged.

Those with illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are often represented in the media to be violent and unpredictable, these stereotypes are wildly untrue and further push those with mental illness to the fringes of society.

Society does not try to hide it’s disfavor of the mentally ill. It was controversial, conservative political commentator Ann Coulter, who even said “guns don’t kill people, the mentally ill do.” This statement is not only outrageously over exaggerated, but it is also incredibly harmful. Mentally ill people are over ten times more likely to be violently targeted by the police or the public rather than mentally stable people due to the stigma that the media and society have created, even though one in five adults experience some sort of mental illness. The stigma also creates some challenges that may contribute to the amount of violence in America. People may be ashamed to admit their illness for fear of being treated differently, leading to them being untreated and therefore a larger danger to society. In 2001 a study looked specifically at 34 male, mass murderers with a median age of 17 years old. Of the 34 boys, 70% were described as outcasts, 61.5% had problems with drugs, and 43.5% had been victims of bullying. Three out of four of the

The under recognition of mental illnesses is a huge deal, so is the stigmatization of mental illnesses. People stigmatize mental illnesses because they may think that the affected people are dangerous or unable to care for themselves. This stigmatization may result from past prejudge or a bad experience. Schools and other people on the 'outside' may not realize that teens who are being stigmatized are less likely to receive help for their mental illnesses because they're afraid of the judging that results. Mental illnesses are over stigmatized and under recognized in schools; you can see and hear it. A student may go to the teacher and say: "I don't think I can give this presentation in front of the class, I have a severe anxiety disorder."

In society, today, the mentally ill are stereotyped as a group of people who are incapable of performing actions in the same way that someone without a mental illness can. This leads to barriers for the mentally ill such as limited access to a proper education and not being able to apply for certain jobs. There is not a single solution that can completely eradicate stereotypes towards the mentally ill; however, the sooner the system is restructured to a point that treatment is seen as the real cure, the quicker society’s perspective of the

It is estimated that 43.5 million Americans, adults 18 or older, live with mental illness. This number represents 18.1% of all U.S. adults (National Institute of Mental Health, 2014). Stigma toward those who are seen as different have existed for as long as civilization itself, with the stigma for mental illness being one of the most prominent and long lasting that society has had to face throughout its ages (Arboleda-Florez & Stuart, 2012). Increased understanding and awareness for those individuals suffering from mental illness is necessary for us to overcome the impacts stigma has on our society.

Throughout the history of mental disorders, the behavior of the mentally ill has always been the prime focus. In earlier history where culture/society was strict on social norms, there was a lack of understanding of mental disorders. In the past where mental illness was acknowledged it was based on Supernatural theories which “ attribute mental illness to possession by evil or demonic spirits, displeasure of gods, eclipses, planetary gravitation, curses, and sin” ( Farreras). Thus in the past, treatment of mental included “ending away sufferers to be locked up; to forbidding them from public or social contact; to losing the opportunity of marriage or planning a family” (Mehraby). But, overtime these stereotypes have developed, and mental disorders are no longer seen in a religious outlook, but now mentally ill patients are viewed as “crazy, criminals, and violent” due to society’s representation. In many films people with mental disorders are portrayed through characters such as “ the homicidal maniac, narcissistic parasite, female patient as seductress, rebellious free spirit, and specially gifted.” (Hanley). Society continuously enforces these stereotypes despite only a small percentage of mentally ill patients actually being violent. This impacts both society and mentally ill patients. In society, when people come in contact with

A long time ago people with glasses were considered “handicapped,” this social prejudice led these people to avoid the help they needed. As time proceeded this stigma against people with imperfect vision began to decrease and more people began seeking out the help they needed, to the point where glasses has become a fashion statement. This is not the same for people with mental illnesses, it is still believe that whatever is wrong with them is due to the fact that they’re acting weak and they have full control over the problem at hand. In reality they do not, it really comes down to the chemical makeup of their brain, environmental circumstances, or even the genes pass down to them from their parents. So we as people need to rid ourselves of this stigma so that people dealing with this issue can get the support

There are many ways to change people’s opinion. In recent years, researches have done a great job at it. New informations from these researches have been countering the age old stereotypes. These information also educates people about mental disorders. Thus, people with mental illness are less likely to be

Stigma, in some respects, may be just another name for stereotyping and discriminating against others who are ill. Unlike physical illness, mental illness is still perceived as an indulgence, a sign of weakness (Byrne, 2000). The experience of stigma includes shame, blame, secrecy, the “black sheep of the family” role, isolation, social exclusion, stereotypes, and discrimination. In an effort to make a change in how mental illness is perceived and diminish stigma, it must begin with changing psychiatry first (Byrne, 2000). “Antipathies to psychiatry and psychiatrists are widespread among the medical profession, but perhaps the real issue is that the majority of psychiatrists fail to challenge these prejudices” (Byrne, 2000, p. 69).