Szasz Mental Illness Essay

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Mental Illness is one of the most common health issues today worldwide, but it is also one of the most ignored illnesses. A negative stigma has been attached to mental illness since they first started discovering the illness and diagnosing people. Increased awareness of mental illness among all spheres of culture and society is necessary because of the rising prevalence of mental illnesses, the negative stigma attached that leads to discrimination, and the success of awareness programs. Since the beginning of realization of mental illness there has always been a negative stigma towards it and that stigma continues to exist in society today. When mental illnesses first started to become recognized people were not taken to the hospital and treated like others with a sickness. Instead …show more content…

They may argue that having a mental illness is a person’s attempt to escape reality and life responsibilities. According to Thomas Szasz’s assertions: mental illness is a myth, a fictional creation by society used to control and change people, it is also a radical departure from conventional beliefs. He also claims people may suffer from “problems in living,” not from “mental illness” (Sue, et al., 8). There is a large number of people who would agree with Szasz’s view. There is also a large number of people who do not support Szasz’s view and they are open to helping and caring for the mentally ill. By having awareness programs, early intervention can help reduce the severity of a mental illness in the future. “Needing help to resolve difficulties does not indicate a lack of will power. In fact, recognizing one’s own need for help is a sign of strength rather than a sign of weakness (Sue et al., 13). By admitting you may have a mental illness and getting help is the best thing anyone can choose to do and they can eventually beat their illness and the negative stigma as

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