Mental Illness: A Cultural Analysis

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Recommended: Social psychological stigma of mental illness: public stigma and self stigma

This essay will look at the cultural and historical perspectives on mental wellbeing, mental health and mental illness. This essay will also look at attitudes and beliefs which have an influence on people’s behaviour who have a mental disorder and the causes of stigma, and social exclusion. Lastly the essay will look at the major aspects of the legislative and policy frameworks which are applicable to the humans of individuals who have mental health. The world health organisation defined mental health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (WHO,2001). Furthermore, health and illness may coincide. They are totally unrelated just if wellbeing is characterized in a prohibitive …show more content…

Attitudes and beliefs on mental illness are shaped by personal knowledge and interaction with someone living with mental illness, cultural stereotypes, media stories, and familiarity with institutional practices and past restrictions. For example in my country (Zimbabwe), people with mental health disorders were seen as possessed or mad therefore where not respected in the society or seek medical help due to the stigma and discrimination they received from people (Corrigan et al., 2004; Wahl, …show more content…

The duties include acting against discrimination, exploitation, making sure older people are protected and have equal chances to others. However the mental capacity act is intends to empower and ensure older people who are unable to make decisions themselves. In addition, it empowers older people to plan ahead just in case they are unable to make critical choices in the future. The society is changing due to older people living longer. Therefore the government is planning to remove retirement age so that employers can no longer force employees to retire due to their age and stay longer in work if they wish too. (Gov,2014) .The government is planning to donate £1 million trust to help older people who are at most danger of longer-term mental illness and social isolation. They aim to help them stay active, autonomous and involved within society after

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