The Stigma of Mental Illness

2104 Words5 Pages

I have a friend who is pervasive enough to know she needs professional help with a form of mental illness. She does not want professional help. She feels if she has to take medications for the rest of her life, or worse, have a long term stay at a behavioral health facility where they might over medicate her if she is oppositional to the treatments that her life and freedom to choose will be over. She could have a better quality of life once the right treatment is found. Everyone may know someone with mental illness, whether they have a psychotic disorder including schizophrenia and its four classifications, Schizoid Effective, Bi-polar Mania, the Autism Spectrum, Tourette’s Syndrome, Depression, ADHD or ADD just to name a few. If we do not know someone affected by a mental illness we may have seen a movie like Girl Interrupted or A Beautiful Mind. Research shows that one half of all Americans will have mental problems sometime in their lifetime (BLOCK).

Alternately one might also know someone who wants to leave a mark of shame on those who suffer from mental illness by mocking them, imitating their odd mannerisms or name calling. This is what is called stigmatizing. The stigma that surround’s mental illness impedes those who need help, from getting help; the act of stigmatizing is wrong and should be considered offensive and stigma has an impact on everyone. The stigma that surround’s mental illness, must be stopped. One thing is certain no one with a mental illness ever said; when I grow up I want to have a mental illness.

To help one understand mental illness and the stigma of mental illness one should define the mind, mental illness and stigma. According to Merrian-Webster .com the mind is defined as: The element or compl...

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...lness." not listed not listed not listed. toddlertime.

Web. 19 jun 2011

Leven, Aaron. "Psychiatric News." 2 september 2005. Psychiatryonline. American Psychiatric Association. Web. 29 july 2011.

Liimatainen, P Gabriel & M. "Nanitonal Alliance on Mental Illness." 2000. NAMI.

Web. 13 July 2011.

MELISSA BLOCK, host:. ALL THINGS CONSIDERED from NPR News. 10 june 2005.

Web. 10 june 2011.

"Mental Illness Exacts Heavy Toll, Beginning in Youth." 6 june 2005. National Institute of Mental Helth. web. 17 july 2011.

Mind." Merriam-Webster" 2011.Merriam-Webster.com.

Web. 8 July 2011.

Mind. “Answers.com Dictionary" 2011 Answers.com Dictionary

Web. 8 July 2011

Staff, The Mayo Clinic. "The Mayo Clinic." 26 may 2011. Mayo Clinic.com.

Web. 27 june 2011.

"Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General." not listed not listed. Surgen Genral. Web. 17 June 2011.

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