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 …show more content…
lower self-esteem and confidence. They experience fewer opportunities to obtain employment and achieve career goals. Their social lives become altered, including ties to family and friends. There are numerous strategies available in Australia to reduce stigma that will also be discussed in this paper, primarily focusing on positive outcomes. Self-stigma produces discouraging effects on the qualities of life for many mental health consumers. It “happens when we accept other people’s negative, inaccurate views of ourselves,” (SANE Australia, 2015). Studies have found that those who suffer mental illness make assumptions that evidently result to thoughts of rejection from society, undermining their self-esteem and confidence. Watson, Corrigan, Larson and Sells (2007) established that, “persons with mental illness such as schizophrenia may internalize mental illness stigma and experience diminished self-esteem and self-efficacy.”, which leads to the concealment of their illness and withdrawal from society. Chronister, Chou and Liao (2013) found that, “secrecy and withdrawal may contribute to negative outcomes through internalized stigma”. Feelings of isolation and exclusion from society can degrade their mental health condition(s). As a result, self-stigma could influence their inclinations of pursuing mental health services, (Rusch et al. 2009). Self-stigma effects cause individuals to feel as though they are powerless to achieve any potential life or career goal, as they experience fewer opportunities caused by stigma. Individuals with mental illness not only suffer from self-stigma, they experience scarce opportunities to attain employment and achieve potential career goals. Persons which disclose their mental illness on an employment application or during an interview, will most likely encounter stigma. Lyons, Hopley and Horrocks (2009) reported in their study that, “revealing a mental health problem at the application or interview stages of seeking employment seems to create difficulties in securing employment”. Not only do those suffering from a mental illness experience this previous to securing a position in an occupation, however stigma is also faced during the course of their careers. Lyons et al. (2009) found that, individuals suffering a mental illness were “being ridiculed and bullied at work by both colleagues and superiors”, well after the individual informed them of their mental illness. Mental health consumers confront the inability to achieve career goals for the reason that stigma remains in place. Lyons et al. (2009) performed a questionnaire on stigma and discrimination and discovered a respondent with depression revealed that, “she had been moved to another department downgraded”, due to her being, “no longer reliable enough for her previous position and workload”. It is this stigma in the workplace that limits an individual suffering a mental illness to fulfil a successful career aspiration. However it is the lack of understanding of the mental illness itself that causes stigma in the workplace. Krupa, Kirsh, Cockburn and Gewurtz (2009) state that people within the workplace are “largely misunderstood and underestimated”, due to the lack of knowledge of mental health. Stigma and the absent perception of the mental illness itself are not only present in the workplace, it is also associated with family, relationship and friendship interactions. The personal and social lives of mental health consumers can decline, depending on the strength of support within the family relationships and friendships. Chronister et al. (2013) express that individuals with mental illness who have partial support from friends and family or mainly disagreeable connections with those involved in their personal life are, “more likely to conceal their mental illness from others”. Mental health consumers will fear facing stigma and discrimination in their families and friendships to the point that it can lead to difficulties battling the illness itself, as they will, “internalize stigma to a greater extent and therefore experience poorer mental health recovery”, (Chronister et al. 2013). Further, Lyons et al. (2009) suggested that the result of discrimination from families and friends on mental health consumers, including from concealing their illness and avoiding them, led to “divorce and marginalization”. Stigma’s effect on the social life of a mental health consumer is both discouraging and unfortunate. With a minor amount of social ties, mental health consumers will experience increased self-stigma levels because it “may impede one’s power, self-efficacy and self-concept of being a capable and valuable person”, (Sibitz et al. 2011). Optimistic family relationship and friendship interactions will produce a progressive effect on individuals suffering mental illness and will result in positive feelings of “being valued and cared for in spite of their mental illness”, (Chronister et al. 2013). In an effective social support setting, mental health consumers will not feel the need to remain undisclosed about their illness or avoid social events (Chronister et al. 2013). The discussion of stigma’s negative effects on individuals with mental illness have been clarified, concluding to this point. Of what follows is a discussion of strategies available in Australia that combats the effects of stigma on mental health consumers. Dealing with stigma in Australia works to reduce the effects mental health consumers may encounter.
Strategies available include awareness and educational approaches through the social media and educational programs. Mental Health First Aid training is a course available in Australia for educational purposes regarding mental health problems and crisis, (Hocking, 2013). A randomised control trial conducted by Jorm, Kitchener, Fischer and Cvetkovski (2010) in conjunction with Mental Health First Aid involved participants in e-learning and a printed manual. They discovered that the e-learning was “superior to the printed manual in reducing stigma and disability due to mental ill health”, (Jorm et al. 2010). They highlighted that partakers of the program had improved their understanding of the mental illness, portrayed less stigmatized views and growth in …show more content…
self-assurance. Beyond Blue is a depression and anxiety independent organization, and is another strategy available in Australia.
They work to “increase awareness and understanding of these conditions in Australia and to reduce the associated stigma”, (Hocking, 2013). An Australian National Survey was conducted by Yap, Reavley, Mackinnon and Jorm (2012) that demonstrated increased awareness and a decrease in “stigmatizing attitudes”. The results determined that Beyond Blue campaigns provided the aptitude for people to recognise that individuals with mental health condition (s) “are ‘sick’ rather than ‘weak’”, (Yap et al. 2012). According to Hocking (2013), there are various programs other than Mental Health First Aid and Beyond Blue, available in Australia who, “provide hope for effective action to combat stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness”. These include “Mindframe National Media Initiative”, which involves the “news media, Australian film, television, theatre and the police; Mind Matters (Secondary Schools), Kids Matter (Primary Schools), Inspire Foundation, Change Our Minds, and Let’s Think Positive.” (Hocking, 2013). Mental health consumers in Australia experiencing stigma in their lives have the opportunity to reach out to these effective organizations, and not only the individuals with mental health conditions, however the whole society in
general. Individuals suffering mental illness encounter stigma in all aspects of their lives. The effects of stigma produces many discouraging feelings that mental health consumers experience at various stages of their lives. They experience self-stigma where the negative stereotypes are brought upon themselves, producing feelings of low self-esteem and isolation. Because of their mental illness, individuals encounter stigma in the workplace, where they endure difficulties obtaining employment which further overwhelms their ability to succeed in their career goals. Mental health consumers maintaining a fragile connection to their social support will experience increased self-stigma, whereas, influential and positive social ties are an advantage in their everyday lives. There are strategies for reducing stigma available in Australia, in which benefits persons suffering a mental illness and the general society by raising awareness and providing educational programs. Understanding the effects of which stigma portrays, on individuals with mental illness and learning strategies for dealing with stigma in the Australian setting, provides increasingly optimistic perceptions and awareness on mental health.
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.
Close to six million Canadians live with mental illness; let alone the thousands that are undiagnosed. Mental illness has made big headlines in the news in the recent years. The people suffering from mental illness have been faced with discrimination a caused by a stigma towards them. Mental illness can be caused by many different factors whether they are psychological or environmental. Although only twenty percent of Canadians personally experience mental illness in their lifetime, it affects everyone in their lives. Many of the people suffering from mental illness live their lives in silence because of the stigma attached to the illness. They would rather nobody know about their condition than face the stigma and discrimination of the public. Society has come a long way from a hundred years ago when they would use trepanation. Trepanation is a primitive method used to heal head injuries; they truly believed that carving a hole in ones skull would release any mental injuries the patient had. A decade ago people suffering from mental illness were treated as if they were less than others. Now a days, people suffering from mental illness are not treated as poorly as before, they have larger support group than before, and society is more understanding of mental illness now. However, there is still much room for improvement.
For young girls in Australia it has been said that ‘one barometer of the health of society is the measure of mental health of our children and young people’. This measure does not bring us good news. Evidence indicates that exposure to ideals of sexual attractiveness in the media is associated with greater body dissatisfaction among girls and young women, leaving girls feeling ‘ugly’ and ‘gross’. Body image is not the only side effect of sexualisation. The increase in sexual activity among adolescents is at an alarming rate, and the age of sexual activity is ever decreasing. For boys in Australia too often we believe that the sexualisation in the public sphere is only affecting girls and women. However, if we were to believe that, we would
The media in American society has a major influential impact on the minds and beliefs of millions of people. Whether through the news, television shows, or film, the media acts as a huge database for knowledge and instruction. It is both an auditory and visual database that can press images and ideas into people's minds. Even if the individual has no prior exposure or knowledge to something, the media can project into people's minds and leave a lasting impression. Though obviously people are aware of what they are listening to or watching, thoughts and assumptions can drift into their minds without even realizing it. These thoughts that drift in are extremely influential. The massive impact it can leave on America's perception leads to generalizations, assumptions, and stigmas. The media influence is not always negative, however. In most cases it has beneficial and positive aspects. Without the media, people would be drastically less informed and conscientious about major issues in the world around us. In some cases, however, the way the media portrays an issue can twist one's perception, leaving an assumption instead of a factual concept. Mental illness is one of the biggest concepts that the media has distorted due to the majority of portrayals the media presents. Mental health is extremely important and plays a key role in every individual's life. Yet it is also has millions of misconceptions. Mental illness is more common that one would like to believe. In reality, one in five Americans will suffer from a mental disorder in any given year. Though that ratio is about equivalent to more than fifty-four million people, mental illness still remains a shameful and stigmatized topic (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d.). The taboo of mental illness has an extensive and exhausting history, dating back to the beginning of American colonization. It has not been an easy road to say the least. Due to the endless efforts and research of certain foundations and individuals, the ideas and functions of mental health have improved significantly. The advancements made in the field are impressive and without them humankind would not be the same. Yet then why do only fewer than eight million people who are in need of help seek treatment? (National Mental Health Association, 2001). The history, stigmatization, and perce...
Corrigan argues that clinical diagnosis might exacerbate the stigma of mental illness. In Corrigan’s study clinical diagnosis adds groupness for the collection of people with mental illness which worsens the level of prejudice (Corrigan 34). Corrigan states that this ultimately leads to overgeneralization, as there is an assumption that all individuals diagnosed with the same mental disorders behave the same way (Corrigan 34). According to Corrigan the stereotypic description of mental illness perceives to the public that, people with diagnosis are not likely to recover from those disorders, which can lead to pessimistic attitudes from the public (Corrigan 35). Corrigan suggests that one of the solutions is to understand the diagnosis dimensionally rather than the traditional categorical diagnosis (Corrigan 36). Another solution Corrigan suggests is for the mental health providers to have individual contact with people who are recovered from mental disorders as they are living a life that challenges the stigma (Corrigan 36). The final solution Corrigan suggests is to replace assumptions of “poor prognosis with models of recovery” (Corrigan 37). Corrigan mainly focuses on the stigma of mental illness in independent living and work settings. One might wonder how the stigma of mental illness can influence in university settings, where the average age of people influenced is younger than people in work settings. Universities must use variations of education and contact in their initiatives in order to effectively reduce the stigma of mental illness.
Whatever the term deviance creates , in general it is popularly assumed that 'deviants' are individuals who are somehow less capable, less socially responsible, less adjusted, and consequently less useful to society than their more fortunate, upright and 'normal' fellows ( Social Deviance in Australia, p 4). In the case of Aboriginal drinking, alcohol is the main source of criminalisation and incarceration. This public labelling gives the individual an entirely new status- one which tends to dominate the person's self conception. Once this assumes a 'master status' it becomes the major reference for personal identity and relegates all to other 'normal' characteristics to a subsidiary status. This process insures that characteristics such as sexual preference, comes to intrude upon and influence almost their entire existence. Once identified publicly, (homosexuals), the person is treated differently and expected to behave differently (Study guide p18). The creation of deviance according to Merton is seen as the responsibility of society ( or the law abiding and respectable members of society) and of the official agents of social control ( police, magistrates, social workers, teachers, judges, doctors and psychiatrists) ( Social Deviance in Australia p 5). Merton draws attention to the causal significance of social, economic and cultural factors of all kinds in pushing or pulling certain types of individuals into courses of action which involved rule breaking. Interactionists', however, like Becker are primarily concerned with the role social control plays in the social production of deviance, which may take two main forms- rule making and rule enforcing. As Becker (1963:9) writes: 'social groups create deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitute deviance... and by applying these rules to particular people and labelling them outsiders. While Quinney states that crime is created. He refers to the social definition of deviance, to the fact that the system of government we have created for ourselves was and is constructed by those who have titled authority and power. Control is exerted through a variety of institutions run by and for the elite (Mass media, education, religion). It is those who are in power who define what is seen as deviant behaviour.
Stereotypes and stigmas promote a dangerous, single-minded perspective. These incomplete or half-truths are often far more duplicitous than lies, as they are more difficult to detect. When these perspectives remain unchecked, they can result in far-reaching, adverse consequences. It is the individual’s duty to refuse to perpetuate this single story perspective. Due to misinformation presented by the media, the stigma surrounding mental illness has created a discriminatory single story perspective; however, through honest and open dialogue, particularly with those suffering from these diseases, these stereotypes can be abolished.
The discussion of mental health is slowly being brought to the social surface to create a more inclusive society for those dealing with a mental illness. However, those with a mental illness are continuously being affected by stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination by those who simply don’t comprehend the complexity of the human brain (Glaser, G.2017). As more people become mental health activist, they are exposing the plethora of issues surrounding the overall mental and physical stability of those who are negatively affected by the social construct of what it means to be normal.
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
There is a stigma surrounding seeking help for mental illness that needs to be broken. Mental illness is not to be taken lightly, it is a serious matter. These people need genuine help; help that they should be able to seek without having to worry about repercussions.
Millions of individuals will be affected by poor mental health, although anyone can experience these problems, there are people from certain backgrounds and social situations who put themselves at greater risk; there are many more factors than can influence or worsen the disorder. There are current theoretical models that analyse mental health stigma as a complex theme that involves many features, such as; social environment/backgrounds, stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination, behavioural problems and discrimination (Świtaj et al., 2014). There are many authors of different articles that agree that stigmatisation cannot be understood to it full extent without considering the perspective of people with mental illnesses, who ultimately play an important
The two different types of stigma have different effects on the attitude towards those with mental health issues. The public stigma can lead to discrimination and prejudice. The prejudice and discrimination that result from the public stigma can prevent those diag...
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 ...
People with a mental illness are often feared and rejected by society. This occurs because of the stigma of mental illness. The stigma of mental illness causes the perception of individuals with mental illnesses to be viewed as being dangerous and insane. They are viewed and treated in a negative way. They are almost seen as being less of a human. The stigma affects the individual with a mental illness in such a cruel way. The individual cannot even seek help without the fear of being stigmatized by their loved ones or the general public. The stigma even leads to some individuals developing self-stigma. This means having a negative perception of one’s self, such as viewing one’s self as being dangerous. The worst part is that the effects of
Mass media “references to people with mental health problems found more than four in ten articles in the press used derogatory terms about mental health and nearly half of press coverage related mental illness to violence and crime” (Esseler, 244). This is causing for people to look down upon the mention of mental illnesses and many times ignore the importance of confronting this issue. Therefore the importance of removing this stigmatization is crucial. Education allows to make more informed decisions and then changing the perception of mental illness can lead towards policy changes toward the improvement of mental health (Sakellari,