Introduction
Stigma is a major impediment to accessing appropriate care by individuals with mental illness. The word “stigma” originated in ancient Greece as the marking or ‘branding” of slaves
(Falk, 2001, p. 32). It has come to mean the labeling, discrimination and rejection of people who are socially and behaviorally different (Phelan & Basow, 2007). People with mental illness fall into the category of ‘different,’ because the symptoms of the various mental illnesses may interfere with their ability to fulfill society’s expectations.
The public response to mental illness is qualitatively different than it would be to any other disease like physical illness (Dingfelder, 2009). The stigma or negative reaction that occurs in response to mental illness exists because of a lack of knowledge about mental illness, such as
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However, Ng and Chan (2000) argued that knowledge about mental illness might not be sufficient to change attitudes as students with more knowledge about mental illness held more restrictive view on mental illness. Therefore, another factor i.e. contact with mentally ill is important but the nature and quality of contact could be more important (Ng &
Chan, 2000). Recent studies have found that there is another important component of stigma i.e. behavior (Thornicroft, 2006; Thornicroft, Rose, Kassam & Sartorius 2007), it is often only attitudes that are measured as outcomes in intervention studies and population surveys neglecting both knowledge and behavior (Thornicroft, 2006; Van Brakel,
These inaccurate concerns are largely attributable to the public's suspicion of mental illness due to its perceived "invisibility.", 81 Based on empirical studies, the
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
Throughout history people who have a mental health illness are not accepted in society. The attitudes of people in society, for example the workplace, is an important measure of the success of that society. Segregating people with mental illnesses from society, by putting someone in a institute, contributed to the attitude that an individual with mental illness are not capable of participating or contributing in society. These negative stereotypes are often portrayed in media, and influence the stigma of mental health illness being dangerous. This controversial concept of dangerousness states that individuals with a mental illness are more dangerous than those without a mental illness. Various forms of discrimination and exclusion in society is still present today. If society begins to understand mental illness, then they will judge a lot less. Success in that society will come when society accepts other people who are different
We have a tendency of shadowing out individuals who have been diagnosed with a mental illness. Despite our human nature of caring, we place those individuals in prisons or understaffed psychiatric facilities, leaving them to be the burden of others. People with mental illness may not be able to hold employment and may not have that family support. This public perception (stigma) “limits opportunities for individuals with mental illnesses and often prevents them from seeking appropriate help”. (Jeglic, 2015) How is it that the public perception is so strong when most people do not have expertise within the field of abnormal psychology?This perception is influenced by the media. “Information presented in the media can be
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
While there have been significant shifts in the understanding of mental health over the past 50 years, many of the responses to people with mental illness have changed very little. A shift
The conclusion, stigma, which involves what the public thinks, and how the mental health care treats the
In chapter one the use of the concept stigma, stigma is a characteristic that discredits
Therefore when one is discussing stigma is can be seen as a concern of disempowerment and social injustice. (cite from stigma article)
During a mental health event the First Lady, Michelle Obama said, “At the root of this dilemma is the way we view mental health in this country. [...] Whether an illness affects your heart, your leg or your brain, it’s still an illness, and there should be no distinction.” This shows that mental illness stigma in society is based on mental illness being perceived more negatively than other physical illness when it should actually be seen as the same. Stigma around mental illness has had very immense adverse effects on the willingness of undiagnosed suffers to not seek treatment when they need it. As a result of this one in five people with a mental illness will not get the treatment they need which has the effect of high suicide rates among the untreated sufferers. In an effort to reduce stigma around mental illness, so that more undiagnosed sufferers seek treatment, schools should devote more time to increasing awareness of mental illness and its effects.
“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.
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
Socially, stigmatized individuals are usually met with opposition from “normal” people—there is a severe lack of acceptance and alienation that result from stigma, and with these also comes discrimination. Goffman notes that even within the first few minutes of a conversation, a “normal” person can find fault in stigmatized individuals and entirely shift the tone of the encounter.
Not only can stigmatization cause individuals to retreat or adopt a deviant identity, but the negative connotations can
Mental health—and the stigma that comes along with it—is a very important issue, one of global importance. Shah and Beinecke explain that 450 to 500 million people suffer from mental illnesses (15). Just considering the amount of people who suffer from mental illness is enough to prove that this is a global issue. Despite the large amounts of people who are affected by mental illness, only one third of countries have some sort of program to help (15). This shows the lack of concern for those who suffer from mental illness. Stereotypes affect many people, and those with mental illness are no exception. Everyone has their own preconceived perspectives and notions of mental health, and many of them are uninformed and unjustified. It is up to us to start changing our viewpoints on mental health.