The Stigma Of Mental Illness

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

7. Lt Col Chris Karns, "Eliminating Stigma: A Leadership Responsibility," U.S. Air Force, 02 September 2014,

While stigma may not necessarily be a cause of a person’s mental disorder, it can certainly contribute to the complication and perpetuation of their illness. The effect of stigma goes well beyond just the patient and provides a commentary on society’s overall level of intolerance of those who are considered different from the majority. By recognizing the level of stigma that exists, perhaps we can alter that behavior and gravitate towards a more productive attitude towards mental illness.

ts our study of the stigma related to mental health illness. There is a lack of research investigating the portrayal of psychologists, those affected by mental illness and issues of mental health; this lack of research prevents any interventions from being made to protect those at risk. “With the continued portrayals of therapy in the media, it is important to consider how these images may affect attitudes and beliefs that can contribute to help seeking behavior”. (Maier, et al., 2013, p.1). Although there is research supporting that psychological and medical treatment are effective for a broad range of mental illnesses, only around 11% of those who have a diagnosable issue will seek help (Corrigan, 2004). The researchers of this article were interested in how the media portrayal of psychologists and mental illnesses impacts those who should seek therapy, through the formation of stigma. The hypothesis of the article study is formed around the idea that turning to a professional for help is not viewed as a sign of weakness when the psychologists are viewed as trustworthy and have experience.

One of the biggest contributors for poor healthcare is the stigma against mental health. This stigma allows healthcare providers to view those with a mental illness as having low relevance, thus creating disinclination towards providing adequate resources and/or care. This negative stance, based on misinformation and prejudice creates those that have a mental illness to lose their self confidence. Because of this loss, people with mental illness decide not to contribute to their health or livelihood. In the past fifty years, many advances have been made in mental healthcare. However, with the attached stigma, many people choose to not seek out treatment.

Until recently, few health insurance plans provided coverage for mental health services to the same extent as physical health services, if they were covered at all. The reasons for the discrimination in health insurance vary, but mental illnesses historically have not been well understood by the public, and people have had a hard time understanding that mental illnesses are biologically based diseases that affect the mind and body just like any other disease that has solely physical manifestations. A stigma is said to occur when people view something in a negative way because of a distinguishing characteristic or trait that is thought to be, or is, a disadvantage. The stigma surrounding mental illness has led to direct and obvious discrimination and one of its results, and the focus of this paper, is the discrimination to the mentally ill and mentally infirm by not providing health insurance that adequately covers mental illness diagnosis and treatments. Despite the progress of mental health parity legislation, the passing of the ACA and the advances in mental health research that have revealed that mental illnesses are biologically based, a stigma still remains around individuals with mental illnesses, that has led to exemptions, road-blocking the goal of full parity. This paper demonstrateS that while advances in the availability of private insurance coverage for those with mental illnesses has improved, there are still loopholes that private insurance

The most surprising aspect of the story is the fact that the author was thriving in college and a 4.0 student. Also, the author found time to balance school with being an employee and volunteering all the while, battling with an eating disorder.

The PSA (refer to appendix A), depicts a picture of the stigma that is attached to mental illness, in the form of “labeling”. Words such as crazy strange, cuckoo, retard, disturbed, etc. were used. The PSA showed an individual (with a mental illness or learning disability) trying to block out these words from entering her head. The most interesting thing, which is the part of the PSA that really got my attention, was a phrase, “sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will also hurt me.” Stigmatization and stereotyping don't only stem from the uninformed public, but also from professionals that are trained in mental health disciplines.

Often times, when mental health issues are talked about, a stigma exists within that topic that dehumanizes people with mental health illnesses. As people are viewed in a negative stereotypical light, they are not always approached in a humane way because of the stigma that is attached to their illness. Additionally, people going through such situations, are not only their struggles/illnesses, they are more than that and it’s important that the entirety of what makes them human and whole is recognized. Furthermore, although some illnesses like depression/suicidal thoughts and behavior can be seen as internal, external factors influence such thoughts to form in the first place. What people experience in life at any age, leaves a mark on them

Stigma has been said to be “a feeling of being negatively differentiated owing to a particular condition, group membership or state in life”(Arboleda-Florez & Stuart, 2012, p. 458). There are typically two types of mental illness stigma that are discussed. Public stigma, also known as societal stigma, is the stigma associated with the prejudicial attitudes the public holds towards those people who suffer from mental illness (Arboleda-Florez & Stuart, 2012; Corrigan, Markowitz, Watson, Rowan & Kubiak, 2003). Self-stigma, also known as internalized stigma, is the loss of self-esteem, withdrawal, and personal shame that some with mental illness will experience. Self-stigma is usually developed when those who suffer from mental illness associate the negative stereotypes the public holds with themselves (Chronister, Chou, & Lieo, 2013; Corrigan et al., 2003).

When describing the brain, it can be labeled as many things but not one-dimensional or simplistic. This is an organ that we find hard to understand because, oddly enough, we have a brain that isn’t wired well enough to understand itself. What makes our brain so complex? Is it the billions of neurons or the trillions of synapses that make up all of our mental connections? The three pound mass in your skull is bursting with power. It comes completely conscious, with state-of-the-art lobes, but doesn’t come without occasional issues. 25% of our population suffer from some form of mental illness (Klevorick). These disorders can range from mild anxiety to a more crippling mental illness known by many, schizophrenia. The big question here is why are mental illnesses feared? When every other part of your body gets sick, one can get sympathy, except the brain (Wax). The first step to ending the stigma is to understand the different forms of mental illness. Second, one should understand how the illness affects the individual who has it, and finally realizing that individuals with these illnesses are not always what they seem. These illnesses are not an act of imagination but are very real to the affected person. A mental illness is hard enough to live with and pairing that with a stigma does not make any situation better. The stigma of mental illness must stop.

“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 expressed in various term, it can be a brand, labelling or identification. It is a differentiation of a person resulting to a boundary between “us” and “them” (Link and Phelan 2001). These affect consumers in a way they are discriminated and treated differently because they have mental illness. The effect of stigma can take away the rights of consumers who are suffering from mental illness causing social dilemmas (SANE Australia 2013). A survey shows 74% of consumers experience stigma from school, work, and social activities. Consumers had only one feedback, to reduce stigma so they can go with their life peacefully and engage in normal social activities without discrimination (SANE Australia 2006). It is

The scope of research for the following literature review is an overall theme of stigmas placed on mental health. The identified problem addressed is the lack of education and exposure many have regarding mental health triggers, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. It is valuable for therapist to work as clinicians and educators to inform others about the true manifestation of mental health and the implications it has on individual’s lives. Working diligently to educate others can ultimately reduce stigmas associated with mental health. Consequently, increasing the willingness of those faced with mental health diagnosis to seek treatment. Also, it will help education friends, family members, and society about ways to support individuals

I really liked reading our post. I find it very interesting that whenever rural areas are talked about the first thing that normally comes up is the lack of resources and funds. The wrap around service should be implemented in rural areas. I think that it will definitely make a positive impact on the community. Honestly I think that the stigma of mental health plays a big role throughout the rural community. Since the rural community has lack of fund that have to spend their money in what they think is the most important to them. Unfortunately mental health is not one of those things. This is why the wrap around service needs to be applied.