Mental Health Stigma Essay

Stigma is defined as Stereotypes or negative views attributed to a person or groups of people when their characteristics or behaviours are viewed as different from or inferior to societal norms. (Dudley 2000). It leads others to avoid living, socialising, or working with, renting to, or employing people with mental disorders -especially severe disorders, such as schizophrenia. It leads to low self-esteem, isolation, and hopelessness. It deters the public from seeking and wanting to pay for care. According to the International council of Nurses (ICN, 2015) stigma related to mental illness has negative implications on the health and well-being of the patient, their family and even health care workers Responding to stigma, people with mental health problems internalise public attitudes and become so embarrassed or ashamed that they often conceal symptoms and fail to seek treatment.” (substance abuse and mental health services administration, 2004). In fact, about 50%-60% of people with mental distress avoid treatment or care because of fear of being stigmatized. (substance abuse and mental health services administration, 2003).
Mental health stigma can be divided into two distinct types: social stigma, which is characterized by prejudicial attributes and discriminating
They are often compromised with dealing with daily activities. Stigmatized people often find that their self- image are compromised by living under pressure and negative expectations generated by stigma (Stacy L. Overton, 2008). Studies have shown that public stereotypes and prejudice about mental illness have deleterious impact on obtaining and keeping good jobs (Stuart, 2006) and leasing safe housing (Ozmen et al, 2004). Employers avoid workers with mental illness by not hiring them. Landlords ‘’protect’’ tenants from people with mental illness by not renting to