The content and research on the extent and impact of stigmatization of individuals suffering from mental health are significant. Most importantly, the creation of awareness on the subject remains one of the most effective ways of managing the scourge. Nonetheless, there is a direct correlation between stigma and how it impacts help-seeking for mental health patients. Additionally, most of the shame and disgrace associated with mental disorders stem from social beliefs and societal values. Typically, mental health in the United States has always been associated with white people. In contrast, black Americans have often found alternative ways of dealing with their 'issues' as opposed to seeking medical and psychological help. Consequentially, such beliefs and misconceptions impose stigma on patients resultantly affecting their need to seek professional help.
Hadera et al. (2019) describe stigma as "attitudes and beliefs" that result in the seclusion and avoidance of people that are different. The scholars indicate that the "causes and nature" of mental illness fueled stigma against these patients. Additionally, 73% of the researchers' sample pool indicated that both their private and public life was adversely affected by the fear of discrimination. Ironically, countries on the Eastern Sphere like Pakistan also recorded high rates of stigmatization of mentally challenged individuals as compared to terminal illnesses. Alternatively, similar trends were cited by the WHO (World Health Organization), which termed stigma as the main hindrance to effective mental health management at the community and society levels.
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Ζαρταλούδη and Μαδιανός (pronounced as Zartaloudi and Madianos) (2014) note that prejudice against people suffering for mental issues remains a rife issue. The scholars indicate that the faculty of mental disorders are not limited to impaired functioning but also a deviation from normal moods and feelings. Typically, such impairments resulted in seclusion and labeling of these respective individuals. Therefore, this attention and prejudice surmounted to the inhumane treatment of the affected people. Additionally, individuals suffering from mental disorders were considered “mentally retarded, a public nuisance, and dangerous” (p. 78). Furthermore, a poling of the perception of the public on mentally struggling individuals indicate that 25% of the general mass believes that mentally unstable people should not work.
Mannarini and Rossi (2019) argue that stigmatization against people with mental illnesses is motivated by the perception that they are dangerous. Terms like instability and abnormal have, for a long time, been associated with mental illness (Schnyder et al., 2018; McGinty et al., 2018). Therefore, the general public discriminates against the mentally challenged on the assumption that they lack control over their actions and behavior. Nevertheless, scientific research indicated that there lacks a direct correlation between mental illness and violent actions
Frank, Zamorski, and Colman (2018) argue that stigmatization and discrimination of people based on their illness had a secondary effect such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and delayed or deferred health-seeking. Additionally, patients experienced both enacted and felt stigma similar to differential social class and living conditions. The scholars argue that certain careers, such as military and security, have high rates of stigmatization against soldiers with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Furthermore, with confidentiality concerns as medical reports are made available to management, 77.75% of Canadian servicemen refuted to disclose their mental illness and challenges on fear of being sidelined from their platoons. Alternatively, these individuals also indicate they will not be seeking any professional help.
Conclusion
Whereas there lacks a direct correlation between unstable behavior and mental issues, both felt and enacted stigmatization are serious impediments to medical and psychological help. Furthermore, the discrimination of patients with mental ailments had serious impacts on their health overlay. Secondary ailments associated with this level of discrimination included further depression, anxiety, and the fear of seeking help and assistance.
References
Frank, C., Zamorski, M. A., & Colman, I. (2018). Stigma doesn’t discriminate: physical and mental health and stigma in Canadian military personnel and Canadian civilians. BMC psychology , 6 (1), 61.
Hadera, E., Salelew, E., Girma, E., Dehning, S., Adorjan, K., & Tesfaye, M. (2019). The magnitude and Associated Factors of Perceived Stigma among Adults with Mental Illness in Ethiopia. Psychiatry journal , 2019 .
Mannarini, S., & Rossi, A. (2019). Assessing Mental Illness Stigma: A Complex Issue. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 2722. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02722
McGinty, E. E., Goldman, H. H., Pescosolido, B. A., & Barry, C. L. (2018). Communicating about mental illness and violence: balancing stigma and increased support for services. Journal of health politics, policy, and law , 43 (2), 185-228.
Schnyder, N., Michel, C., Panczak, R., Ochsenbein, S., Schimmelmann, B. G., & Schultze-Lutter, F. (2018). The interplay of etiological knowledge and mental illness stigma on healthcare utilization in the community: a structural equation model. European Psychiatry , 51 , 48-56.
Ζαρταλούδη, Α., & Μαδιανός, Μ. (2014). Stigma related to help-seeking from a mental health professional.
