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Mental health stigma and labelling
Mental health stigma and labelling
Prejudice and discrimination in society
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Mental illness can be described as a behavioral or mental pattern that may cause suffering or a poor ability to function in life. Social stigma plays a vital role in this disease as it can make mental health problems worse, as well as making it harder for the individual to recover; resulting in a person not seeking the help that they need. There are many structural levels of mental health such as the labelling, discrimination, emotional and stereotypical aspects of a person's mental illness condition. Modern day anti-stigma studies have shown that biogenetic and psychosocial methods have aided in the ultimate goal of properly treating mental illnesses. Mental illness has been associated with biogenetic methods/treatments as a means of finding …show more content…
However, in saying this, there is still much research and work to be done to completely understand the degree and range of the inequality against those with mental illness. As luck would have it, social psychologists have been studying situations related to stigma and how increasing public perceptions of mental illness of those with the illness view themselves and how the public view them. This Mixed-Blessings study explains the correlation between how mental disorders have welcomed an alternative strategy to reduce blame and stigma; this research yielding a quantitative analysis on the relationships between biogenetic explanations for mental disorders as well as they key elements …show more content…
Millions of individuals will be affected by poor mental health, although anyone can experience these problems, there are people from certain backgrounds and social situations who put themselves at greater risk; there are many more factors than can influence or worsen the disorder. There are current theoretical models that analyse mental health stigma as a complex theme that involves many features, such as; social environment/backgrounds, stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination, behavioural problems and discrimination (Świtaj et al., 2014). There are many authors of different articles that agree that stigmatisation cannot be understood to it full extent without considering the perspective of people with mental illnesses, who ultimately play an important
The stigma and negative associations that go with mental illness have been around as long as mental illness itself has been recognized. As society has advanced, little changes have been made to the deep-rooted ideas that go along with psychological disorders. It is clearly seen throughout history that people with mental illness are discriminated against, cast out of society, and deemed “damaged”. They are unable to escape the stigma that goes along with their illness, and are often left to defend themselves in a world that is not accepting of differences in people. Society needs to realize what it is doing, and how it is affecting these people who are affected with mental illness.
The Ministry of Health (2008) also state that it is essential to identify a patient’s community or community of interest and support the patient to develop and maintain connections. For Belinda, the third barrier to recovery she may possibly face could be the stigma and discrimination attached by the community and those around her to being mentally unwell. Walker at al. (2012) state that people with mental health problems are possibly the most highly stigmatised group in today’s society for the reason that once a person’s diagnosis of mental illness is established, it is very hard to get rid of, or shake off. Lyons, Hopley and Horrocks (2009) state that stigma and discrimination have the potential to develop an enormous negative impact on people’s lives and overall well-being. The potent and damaging impact of stigma aimed at mental health patients encompasses most aspects of everyday life, as the continuous onslaught of discrimination impacts on relationships within families, which has the effect of eroding an individual’s confidence, contributing to self-initiated social exclusion (Lyons et al., 2009). Stigma in regards to mental health is linked with a number of social problems such as higher levels of poverty, poor physical and mental health, social isolation, deprivation and poor educational achievement (Bates & Stickley,
“Stigma is a “collection of negative attitudes, beliefs, thoughts, and behaviors that influence the individual, or general public, fear, reject, or avoid, be prejudiced, and discriminate people” (Varcarolis, 2013, p. 18). Mentally ill patients are encountered in all settings. Many of these setting are non-psychiatric in nature and are staffed by nurses that do not have extensive training or comfort in dealing with seriously mentally ill patients. Individual stigmas and attitudes that nurses have regarding mental illness can have a direct effect on the level of care given to these patients. These stigmatizing attitudes toward the mentally ill can have very harmful effects on the individual themselves and their families. The negative attitudes result in social isolation, reduced opportunities, and the lack of self worth (Varcarolis, 2013, p. 18). Nursing graduates need to understand that psychiatric patients appear everywhere, not just in psychiatric settings. Knowing how to properly and appropriately care for them is vital to giving the best care each patient deserves. The challenges of social stigmas about mental illnesses affect graduate nurses in developing a therapeutic relationship, and need to adjust and implement appropriate nursing interventions.
Mental illness misconceptions construct stigmatization within society. There are many source of mental illness stigma from inadequate information, media, religion, and ethnicity. In their article “Wearing the Label of Mental Illness: Community-Based Participatory Action Research of Mental Illness Stigma”, by Jean Theuer, Nicole Jean-Paul, Kristi Cheyney, Mirka Koro-Ljungberg, and Bruce Stevens illustrate that inadequate information and the media construct negative stereotypes while religion and ethnicity are conciliators of mental illness. The authors conduct a study which focuses on the community level and examines how community member experience stigma associated with mental illness. And what occurs when an individual is labeled with mental illness. The study identified four sources of mental illness stigma. One, inadequate information, leads to dependents on stereotypes. One interviewee explains that “there’s no good place to get information about it in daily life unless you seek it out. I mean no one ever sits down and talks to you about it in school”. Two, the media contributes to negative stereotypes about mental illness. Since Interviewees could not find adequate information about mental illness. They rely on the media as a source of information. Some interviewees did know that the media illustrate the stereotypic mental illness. Emphasizing the high frequency of characters with severe mental illnesses than compared
Stigma can be a major issue for those with mental illness. It can come from many different people in their lives, from family to complete strangers. So along with their own issues dealing with symptoms and regaining control of their life back, they also can have a negative influence related to their worth from stigma that can hinder them. Recovery in mental illness is ongoing and develops as the person matures, hopefully progressing in their ability to function better in society (Markowitz, Angell, & Greenberg, 2011). Stigma logically has an influence on self-worth and self-esteem for any group of people. Stigma if a large enough influence can make an individual diagnosed with a mental illness view themselves as tainted or less than before
The impact of stigma is two-fold, there is the public stigma which surrounds mental illness this is the reaction that the general population has towards those unfortunate enough to suffer with mental illness. Then there is self-stigma which is the judgement and prejudice which those suffering with mental illness turn against themselves. Public and self-stigma may be understood in by exploring three concepts: stereotypes, prejudice, and
Deviant beings, especially those who possess a mental illness, are looked down upon by the rest of society. A society, who by nature, is responsible for the stigma attached to mental illness. A mental disorder is a consequential condition which affects a person’s behavior and thinking. The presence of a mental illness can cause significant suffering in a person’s life, and affect their ability to function(Thio, 2010).
Rusch, et al. "Mental Illness Stigma: Concepts, Consequences, And Initiatives To Reduce Stigma." European Psychiatry 20-8 (2005): 529-539. Print.
The healthcare system, as a whole, faces many challenges when caring for vulnerable populations. Included in this population are individuals suffering from mental illness. More than 450 million people suffer from a mental health condition (WHO, 2010). Mental health and suicide prevention should be made national priorities. With the lack of resources and public knowledge of this population, healthcare providers are struck with the difficult task of educating the public of the importance of “mental health for overall health.” Public attitudes, and the stigma attached with mental illness, is a major barrier to treatment. Those suffering from mental illness are deprived of the treatment and support they need due to low self-esteem and feelings of hopelessness, derived from the stigma attached by the public. Poor mental health is associated with exclusion from social groups, difficult work environments, unhealthy lifestyles, risk of violence and poor physical health, and violations of human rights (WHO, 2010). Access to quality care is lacking, as well as, early mental health screenings and referrals, which should be made a common practice. More research in this area is critical, along with, improved quality of care for mental health.
Stigma is a universal concept that many patients with severe illnesses experience as they face society. Stigmatization particularly affects patients who display traces of their illness either by scars or noticeable treatment side effects, which they feel negatively impacts their self-worth. In Frank’s narrative At the Will of The Body (2002), Frank shared his personal experience of cancer, which included several incidents where he had felt stigmatized as a result of his disease.
Having good mental health allows you to feel, act or think in a normal way and live a normal life. Poor mental health can range from ordinary to more unusual problems that can make you feel unwell, and in some cases even make you lose your mind. In many cases, mental health issues developed due to a series of events or situations continuously happening in your life leaving excessive stress or anxiety disorders. For many suffering from this horrible illness, the discrimination is obvious and severe these days. In A New State of Mind: Ending the Stigma of Mental Illness the goal is to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and motivate sufferers to seek the help they need before the problem escalates.
Patients who are diagnosed with a mental illness, particularly a serious mental illness, are at risk for disparities in treatment of other medical, non-psychiatric, conditions (Li, et al., 2011). Thornicroft, Rose, & Hassam (2007) stated that much of the general population has a certain ignorance regarding mental illness and tend to make judgments against those who have been diagnosed with mental illness. A social stigma has been placed on those individuals who have been diagnosed with a mental illness, particularly a serious mental illness, which has been defined as those that fall on the schizophrenia spectrum or some type of mood disorder classified as bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder (Mitchell, Malone, & Doebbeling, 2009). It is the opinion of this author that the carry over of this stigma has extended to health care and the way that mentally ill patients are treated in various clinical settings. Further, this author believes that those with a documented mental illness do not receive the same quality of care that those without a documented mental illness do.
Mental health can be a sensitive subject to most of society. “In two identical UK public opinion surveys… over 80% [of participants] endors[ed] the statement that ‘most people are embarrassed by mentally ill people’, and about 30% agreeing ‘I am embarrassed by mentally ill persons’” (Byrne 65). People with a mental illness are thought of as including but not limited to: child-like, weak, and even dangerous. This stigma on people with mental illness(es) can have a negative impact on their lives. This stigma can affect their jobs, relationships, treatment, and overall happiness among other things. The stigma surrounding mental illness has been negatively impacting mental health for decades. The public, the media, and people in the mental health
Mental health stigma has been a prevalent issue internally and within society. Mental health stigma is caused by pessimistic beliefs and attitudes that persuades others to discriminate or avoid individuals with mental illness or psychiatric care resources (Parcesepe & Cabassa, 2013). This stigma prevents individuals from coming to the conclusion that they have a mental illness and taking part in receiving psychiatric care (Parcesepe & Cabassa, 2013). According to Amuyunzu-Nyamongo (2013), about fourteen percent of global diseases are mental illness. In fact, in low income countries seventy-five percent of accounted illnesses are categorized under mental illnesses and severe psychosis, Africa specifically (Amuyunzu-Nyamongo, 2013; Bird, Omar,
Social and financial disadvantages are common among people with mental a disorder and have great impact on their quality of life. However, these disadvantages are not the only hardship that they have to face in their daily life. In fact, stigma and discrimination against people with mental a disorder can be worse than the mental health condition itself. They are a big barrier in the rehabilitation process and the journey towards life chances of these individuals. Public stigma, self-stigma and discriminatory behaviours all contribute to the daily struggles and build on top of the pre-existing challenges that they face in dealing with their mental health condition.