Community Problem: the Stigmatization of Mental Illness
Community Problem: The Stigmatization of Mental Illness
Kimberley Perry
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton Campus
Illness is something that is an inevitable part of our lives. It is rare that you could find an individual that has not been affected by illness, either directly with their own diagnoses or indirectly with the illness of a loved one. Having any sort of illness causes immense strain on an individual as well as their family unit; but what happens when a person is suffering from an illness in silence and shame? Mental illness affects 1 out of every 5 individuals in Canada and does not discriminate according to age, education level, or occupation. The issue that I want to discuss however is not mental illness it is the stigma associated with it that causes added stereotypes and shame for the people who are suffering. In the dictionary stigma is defined as a mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain or reproach as on one 's reputation. Ultimately stigma is made up of two parts: negative and unfavourable attitudes and negative behaviours that result from those attitudes. People with mental illness often experience stigmatization surrounding many aspects of their lives; inequality in employment, educational, and housing opportunities, the loss of friends and family members, as well as self-stigma which occurs when the person with mental illness begins to buy into the negative stereotypes. One can not imagine someone suffering from cancer having to feel shame and disgrace from their diagnoses, so why is it accepted that someone diagnosed with schizophrenia or depression sustains an automatic threat to their reputation. Society feels uncomfortable with mental illness, causing it to become the elephant in the room and in turn brushing human beings with real problems under a societal rug. Due to inaccuracies and misunderstandings, people have been led to believe that an individual with a mental illness has a weak character or is inevitably dangerous. If
Kimberley Perry
University of New Brunswick
Fredericton Campus
Illness is something that is an inevitable part of our lives. It is rare that you could find an individual that has not been affected by illness, either directly with their own diagnoses or indirectly with the illness of a loved one. Having any sort of illness causes immense strain on an individual as well as their family unit; but what happens when a person is suffering from an illness in silence and shame? Mental illness affects 1 out of every 5 individuals in Canada and does not discriminate according to age, education level, or occupation. The issue that I want to discuss however is not mental illness it is the stigma associated with it that causes added stereotypes and shame for the people who are suffering. In the dictionary stigma is defined as a mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain or reproach as on one 's reputation. Ultimately stigma is made up of two parts: negative and unfavourable attitudes and negative behaviours that result from those attitudes. People with mental illness often experience stigmatization surrounding many aspects of their lives; inequality in employment, educational, and housing opportunities, the loss of friends and family members, as well as self-stigma which occurs when the person with mental illness begins to buy into the negative stereotypes. One can not imagine someone suffering from cancer having to feel shame and disgrace from their diagnoses, so why is it accepted that someone diagnosed with schizophrenia or depression sustains an automatic threat to their reputation. Society feels uncomfortable with mental illness, causing it to become the elephant in the room and in turn brushing human beings with real problems under a societal rug. Due to inaccuracies and misunderstandings, people have been led to believe that an individual with a mental illness has a weak character or is inevitably dangerous. If
References: Diefenbach, D. L. (1997). The portrayal of mental illness on prime-time television. Journal of Community Psychology, 25(3), 289–302. Rose, D. (1998). Television, madness and community care. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 8(3), 213–228. Rose, D. (1998). Television, madness and community care. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 8(3), 213–228. Diefenbach, D. L. (1997). The portrayal of mental illness on prime-time television. Journal of Community Psychology, 25(3), 289–302.