The Stigmatization Of The Mentally Ill

Although the stereotype towards the mentally ill is very current in society, it is not to say that all of the public agree with it. For example, there are many stereotypes of different ethnic groups but not everybody would agree with them. In contrast, prejudiced people will endorse these negative stereotypes, an example of this being that ‘those who are mentally ill are violent’, as a consequence this then

The disparity in treatment has been attempted to be remedied over the eras. Bills and Acts put into place in the 20th and 21st centuries have seeked to improve care and reduce stigma around those with mental illness. This began in 1942, when Harry Truman signed the National Mental Health Act, which requested the formation of a National Institute of Mental Health. Shortly after this, in 1949, the National Institute of Mental Health was established (“National Institute of Mental Health”). During the company’s 60 year lifespan they have focused on research about mental illness, educating the public, and improving the lives of the mentally ill by working to pass laws. One law that seeks to reduce the stigma of mental illness is the Mental Healths Service Act of California. "California 's Historic Effort To Reduce The Stigma Of Mental Illness: The Mental Health Services Act" from the American Journal Of Public Health illustrates how the Act will make improvements. Families and individuals who have experienced stigma had a big role in the process, specifically with developing a 10 year plan, the California Strategic Plan on Reducing Mental Health Stigma and Discrimination. One component of the Act discussed is the work plan developed by California Mental Health Services Authority, which has three components: stigma and discrimination reduction, student mental health, and suicide prevention. Organizations such as the NIMH have made efforts resulting in the evolution of mental

In society, there is much stereotyping and stigma surrounding the issue of mental health. Stereotyping happens because humans take common characteristics and behaviours, and link them to groups in society known as social groups; because of the amount of stereotyping that exists in today’s society there is a great deal of stigma surrounding mental illness and the mentally ill. A common misconception about individuals suffering with mental illness is that they are all unintelligible and are a danger to other members of society, this opinion has been largely criticised by mental health professionals as it is viewed as narrow minded and potentially very misleading. Stereotyping mentally ill individuals causes them to lose a sense of identity as

society respond to those classified as having a mental illness. These questions can be answered

Nevertheless the mentally ill have been strongly affected by the myths that media has created. Whether it’s a movie, a TV program, an article, or a news program, media uses them to depict a negative connotation of mentally ill

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.

I grow up in community and observe how others view or treat a person with mental illness. Adults and children alike would state, “Stay away from that person, they might hurt you,” or “Leave them alone, their crazy” and “Go away you idiot.” In addition, when people watch movies and television shows, generally a person with mental

In today’s society we are becoming more aware of the way our words or judgement can hurt others. However, there’s still a lot of stigma around mental illness. This judgement we have towards people with mental illness is what keeps some of them from seeking the help they need. The stigma isn’t just from those without mental illness though. People with mental illness often have their own stigmas as well. We need to come together and show men and women with mental illness that it is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, mental illness can be overcome and improved.

The large awareness of mental diseases is obvious, yet it is still apparent that many believe people with such illnesses are to be outcasted from the world because they are not fit for society. For this reason, they are discriminated against in all aspects of their lives. They are confined to small-minded stereotypes that define their whole existence, as if no person and no illness can be different from one another. Many are completely outcast from society as they become homeless or put into prisons. Approximately 26% of homeless adults living in shelters have serious mental illnesses and approximately 24% of state prisoners have recently had a mental health conditions (“Mental Health By The Numbers” np). Such large statistics can lead individuals to believe that all people living with mental disorders are unsuccessful and slovenly, leading them to be left on the street, or all are dangerous and intended for a criminal lifestyle, leading them to be put in correctional facilities. Such continues the cycle of more stereotypes being created, more oppression, and more statistics of how the mentally ill are incapable of leading a “normal” life. Because instead of realizing we, as a community, can help resolve these issues, we, as a judgemental society, make discriminatory

Words like “insane” and “crazy” often refer to someone’s mental illness first rather than as a person. As a result, these words increase the stigma around mental illnesses by portraying those who are mentally ill as “bad people,” even if those words weren’t used with any harmful intent. These words create stereotypes that people with mental illnesses are violent, dumb, and should be avoided at all costs. The idea that someone’s mental illness is their own fault and they deserve to suffer the consequences still exists, though due to mainstream exposure, many more people instead recognize it as a health

The first issue that leads to mental stigma is discrimination from society for those who wielder any kind of mental illness. Stigma is actually different from discrimination, as discrimination is the unfair treatment or judgement of one’s self based on colour, origin, religion, or citizenship. (Mental Health Commision of Canada, 2017). However, unfortunately since recent times those with mental illness were believed to be possessed by evil spirits (Davey, 2013). Furthermore, this idea created the belief that those with mental illness have two options: either to say they are fine and not try to seek help, or seek help and tell the society that they have a mental problem and in that case, they would either be executed or shut from the whole society because of that mental illness. Fortunately, today people would not be executed for having mental illness, but they will still be considered as outcasts from the society.

People with mental illness experience negative stereotypes. Such as stigmatization and ostracism from society. Stigmatization is a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance .It can result from various factors such as personality traits and abnormalities such as overt or external (Hasa, 2015).People with mental illness are mostly stigmatized because they are labeled as “mentally ill “ or because of a certain behavior they manifest clearly indicates that they belong to that group. Stigmatization of people with psychological disorder is caused by the public misconception and lack of knowledge regarding people with mental illness or. In addition, those who are less educated people perceive the people with mental illness more negatively compared to those who are more educated. Therefore when people labeled as mentally ill, it leaves a negative effect on public attitudes towards them clearly

Experiencing self-stigma is common within people with mental illness and they play a big role in the patient’s life. Stigma generally has two forms, social stigma and self-stigma. Despite the psychological stress and disabilities, those who are defined as mentally ill may also experience prejudicial and stereotypical beliefs such as assuming all people with mental illness are violent and dangerous. The prejudice leads to discrimination, they may be denied opportunities or basic rights that are offered to other members of the society (Corrigan, Larson & Rusch, 2009).

This misconception about individuals with mental illnesses describes them as being more dangerous to themselves and others when compared to those without mental disorders, which can cause unnecessary fear towards this group (Read, Harre, 2001, Reavely, Jorm, Morgan, 2016). These misunderstandings stem from a lack of awareness and false representation of mental illness in western culture. (Barczyk, 2015). However, research proves that individuals with mental disorders are not more likely to be violent, rather this group of people has a greater chance of becoming the victim of a crime (Reavely, Jorm, Morgan, 2016). Those who focus on the more severe forms of mental disorders, such as psychosis and schizophrenia are more likely to perceive persons with mental illnesses as dangerous (Corrigan, Markowitz, Watson, Rowan, Kubiak, 2003). As a result, the more dangerous an individual with a mental illness is perceived to be, the greater the chance to be discriminated against (Corrigan, Markowitz, Watson, Rowan, Kubiak, 2003). Because individuals with mental illnesses are wrongly considered dangerous and responsible for their illness, blame tends to be cast on this group of people (Barczyk,

According to the World Health Organization, more than 450 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with a mental illness” (“Mental Disorders”, 2001, para. 1). Research has documented a significant relationship between mental illness and stigma. “Stigma is defined as a sign of disgrace or discredit, which sets a person apart from others. The stigma of mental illness, although more often related to context than to a person’s appearance, remains a powerful negative attribute in all social relations” (Byrne, 2000, p. 65).