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Community Health Stigma

Decent Essays

Individuals with mental health illness often experience direct or indirect stigma from their community, friends and family members. Upon the completion of a community assessment of the 90804 zip code, one of the social problems revealed was the stigma towards individuals who have a mental health disorder. This information was provided by two local mental health service providers and both interviewees paralleled in their responses as they indicated that the local community is generally unfamiliar of the needs of people who are diagnosed with a mental disorder. Both added that community members directly mistreat them by often ignoring in the community; treating them uncaringly. During these interviews, it was learned that individuals who perceive mental health stigma (MHS) resist beneficial treatment to address their symptoms. Research has found that this form of stigma in patients will create negative attitudes regarding their own mental health treatment (CONNER). This paper will review the effects of MHS, describe who is at most risk to …show more content…

Precise data regarding mental health stigmatization that is occurring in the community in question is unattainable, however, a Community Health Needs Assessment conducted by the Memorial Care Health System (CHNA, 2016) suggested that in the City of Long Beach, mental health stigma is significantly embedded in the Hispanic community; affecting the communities of color. Obtaining help for mental health symptoms is a barrier for cultures who view having a mental disorder a weakness or a temporarily problem. Secondary sources confirmed that in the 11.9% of the residents in 90804 identified having serious psychological distress (LBDHHS). Thus, it is likely that this population is directly affected by community

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