Mental Illness Essay

1752 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Effects of stigma and discrimination

Mental illness is very common and affects thousands of people in the UK and around the world. Research shows that every year 1 in 4 British adults experience at least one mental disorder (Singleton et al, 2001, 32) and around 450 million people worldwide are estimated to have a mental health problem (World Health Organisation, 2001). Mental illness can be defined as “Medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder” (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2013). Negative stigmas …show more content…

Disclosure of mental health can lead to discrimination within the work place such as social exclusion, lack of opportunity to progress in job or over-inferring of mistakes to illness (Brohan & Thornicroft, 2010, 413). Stigmatising views and attitudes of employers and co-workers make it very hard for someone with mental health problems to compete with others in a workforce or to obtain a job, so it is easy to understand why disclosure is so …show more content…

& Yuill, C. (2011) Understanding the Sociology of Health. 3rd Edition. London: SAGE Bjorklund, Robert (1998) First Person Account: Psychosocial Implications of Stigma Caused by Misdiagnosis. Schizophrenia Bulletin 4 653-655 Brindle, David (2013), Mental health anti-stigma campaign fails to shift health proffesionals' attitudes, http://www.theguardian.com/healthcare-network/2013/apr/03/mental-health-anti-stigma-campaign (accessed 17th December 2013) Brohan, Elaine & Thornicroft, Graham (2010) Stigma and discrimination of mental health problems: workplace implications. Occupational Medicine. 60 414- 420 Chivers,Tom (2013) Is the stigma of mental illness lifting? Jonathan Trott's Ashes exit hints that it may be, http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/tomchiversscience/100247481/is-the-stigma-of-mental-illness-lifting-jonathan-trotts-ashes-exit-hints-that-it-may-be/ (accessed 13th December 2013) Corrigan, Patrick, Larson, Jonathan, Rusch, Nicolas (2009), Self-stigma and the "why try" effect: impact on life goals and evidence-based practices. World Psychiatry. 8:75-81 Corrigan & Penn (1999), Lessons from social psychology on discrediting psychiatric stigma. American Psychologist, 54

Show More
Related

  • Girl Interrupted And American Horror Story: Insane Asylum

    1971 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • The Day The Voices Stopped: A Memoir Of Madness And Hope '

    1734 Words  | 4 Pages

    This stereotype contributes to the stigma individuals’ face and encourages social exclusion and intolerance, especially in schizophrenia (Ray & Brooks Dollar, 2014). Ken sought out help and went to the emergency room because he recognized he was severely depressed. There, the doctor promised he would not be put in restraints, yet when he was taken to the hospital, he was placed in restraints because it was company policy (Steele & Berman, 2001). Due the stigma that individuals with mental illness are violent, Ken was not treated fairly (Stuart & Arboleda-Florez, 2012). Stuart and Arboleda-Florez (2012) are very credible authors to be writing on the effects of stigma in mental health. Both authors have experience in psychiatry, combatting stigma and mental health issues.

    Read More

  • The Medicalization of Society by Peter Conrad

    1544 Words  | 4 Pages

    Thoit, Link, Bruce G., and Jo C. Phelan. "Labeling and Stigma." Handbook of the sociology of mental health. Springer Netherlands, 2013. 525-541.

    Read More

  • What Is Mental Health As A Social Justice Issue?

    1266 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout her presentation, she explains how public stigmas, once again, cause label avoidance pushing many who need help away from treatment. She then goes on to explain how these stereotyped behaviors cause discrimination towards people with a mental illness from employment to housing which only leads to the creation of more stigmas. Finally, she states how the impact of stigmas is associated with the reduction of self-esteem, overall poor health, and problems with interpersonal relationships (Willits). By using this presentation I am able to connect what we have learned about mental health stigmas to my article. First off, for example, Morris explains how psychiatric units invoke people to imagine a frightening place where insane patients are strapped down and poked and prodded for care (Morris). This stereotypical idea relates to how Willits described general stereotypes associated with mental illness such as crazy and dangerous (Willits). On top of that, Willits explained how these stigmas have negative consequences for patients (Willits). This relates to Morris’s explanation on how the stigma around institutions has caused these units to shut down forcing many people to be homeless or live in jail

    Read More

  • Understanding Stigma and Mental Illness in Society

    710 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mental illnesses are common today and the stigmas that follow behind it. Stigmas can be created anybody including families, friends, co-workers, or even someone you don 't know. A stigma that is created usually sets a person apart from everybody else such as sexual orientation, gender or physical disabilities. A person with a mental illness is frequently labeled as a stereotype which can create negative attitudes.

    Read More

  • My Personal Experience with a Mental Health Illness

    1375 Words  | 3 Pages

    Claire Henderson, Sara Evans-Lacko, Clare Flach, Graham, Thornicrofi. "Responses to Mental Health Stigma Questions: "The Importance of Social Desirability and Data Collection Method." Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Mar 2012. Vol 57, No3. Nursing/Academic Edition. Web. 01 Apr 2014.

    Read More

  • Mental Health Equality

    1326 Words  | 3 Pages

    Rosenfield, S.,Labeling Mental Illness: The Effects of Received Services and Perceived Stigma on Life Satisfaction [Electronic Version], American Sociological Review Vol. 62, No. 4 (Aug., 1997), pp. 660-672

    Read More

  • Mental Health and Privacy: The Impact of HIPAA

    1010 Words  | 3 Pages

    The recent restriction on pre-employment questionnaire by section 60 of the Equality Act 2010, has been a positive step in recognizing that people with a mental health problem experience stigma and discrimination in finding work (Brohan et al., 2012). Work can play an important role in both developing and maintaining psychological health, it provides a connection to the broader social and economical world which presents opportunities to use skills , as well as offering goals, variety, money, physical security, interpersonal contact, and a valued social position (Brohan et al., 2013). People with mental health problem frequently report discrimination in employment. In a US survey 61% felt they were turned down for a job for which they were qualified when they disclosed their illness (Henderson et al., 2012). Evidence suggest that employers would like prospective employees to disclose a mental health problem at the application stage (80% in 2006 and 77% in 2009) (Brohan et al.,

    Read More

  • Stigma In Mental Health

    1225 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the article Issues and Controversies says, "Throughout most of human history, people with mental illness were ostracized, isolated, and persecuted." ( Infobase,1) This belief system can give causation of mental illness in different cultures and such influences in a community will always be in a negative manner. Various societies struggle with the notion of mental health. The standards of every culture believe to be considered normal, natural, or healthy. These views lead to disagreements about the causes, diagnosis, and the treatment of the disorders. Many people with mental problems are discriminated against because of their mental disorder. Mental illness and stigma refers to the view of the person with mental illness as having undesirable traits. Stigma leads to negative behavior, stereotyping, and discriminatory behavior towards the person with mental health issues. This stigma causes the affected person to experience denial or shame of their condition. Perceived stigma can result in the patient being scared to seek help. Stigma can be divided into two perspectives, public and self stigma. Upadhyay says, "Public stigma occurs when the general

    Read More

  • The Mental Health Stigma in our Society

    1157 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are many ways in which the mentally ill are degraded and shamed. Most commonly, people are stated to be “depressed” rather than someone who “has depression”. It is a common perception that mental illnesses are not a priority when it comes to Government spending just as it is forgotten that most mental health disorders can be treated and lead a normal life if treatment is successful. The effect of this makes a sufferer feels embarrassed and feel dehumanized. A common perception is that they should be feared or looked down upon for something they have not caused. People experience stigma as a barrier that can affect nearly every aspect of life—limiting opportunities for employment, housing and education, causing the loss of family ...

    Read More

  • Essay On Stigma In Black Women

    1150 Words  | 3 Pages

    In this paper, I will analyze the stigma around mental illness and how the power of words and labels help

    Read More

  • Stigma In Australia

    1397 Words  | 3 Pages

    Mental illness shapes the lives of many Australians and leads to both positive and negative experiences. Stigma and discrimination impacts negatively on the lives of individuals affected with mental health illnesses. An anti-sigma campaign (Time to Change, 2016) states that stigma occurs, “when we make assumptions about how mental health problems will affect someone’s behaviour, this makes it more likely that they will be singled out, or labelled as different, dangerous or strange”. There are many negative influences of stigma that precedes the lives of individuals suffering with mental illness, and this paper will discuss several effects. Mental health consumers have abundant opportunities in life, yet self-stigma may generate feelings of

    Read More

  • Stigma And Discrimination In Australia

    504 Words  | 2 Pages

    Stigma and discrimination are prevalent amongst individuals suffering from mental health conditions and disorders in most aspects of their lives, and with the negative effects that can result from these, the impacts on the person can be detrimental. A survey of Australian’s who, at the time, were suffering mental illness, say that reducing stigma would make an improvement in their lives. The prevalence of stigma and the impacts of discrimination have been ongoing matters of concern within the mental health industry, government bodies and consumers, however, even though there has been some progress in the reduction of stigma, the need for addressing these concerns in an attempt to further reduce stigmata and protect the rights of mental health consumers in Australia still exists.

    Read More

  • Psycho-Killer Movie Analysis

    1019 Words  | 3 Pages

    Corrigan, Patrick W., and Amy C. Watson. "Understanding the Impact of Stigma on People with

    Read More

  • Mental Illness Sociology

    1104 Words  | 3 Pages

    As stated previously stigma can affect many aspects of people’s lives, the impact on a sufferer’s personal life can be detrimental to their mental well-being, relationships and disruption of work life. Unfortunately, stigma doesn’t just affect sufferers but also branches out impacting their loved ones. This discrimination can lead to further psychiatric troubles such as depression. This tribulation can often act as a barrier to sufferers wanting to seek early treatment due to their shame they feel being associated with mental illness. Stigma also affects the sufferers in a way to convince them to disengage from services or stop taking medication, all of which can cause relapse and hinder their

    Read More

More about Mental Illness Essay

Open Document