Mental Health Stigmas

Over the course of history, mental illnesses have been described in many different ways. In early medieval times, mental disorders, or mental illnesses in general were often described as demon possessions (Slobogin, 2000). Therefore, mental illnesses and the individuals that suffered from them became feared, slandered and even disgraces by members of society. Even when societies kept no written records, there was still negative stigmas against mental illnesses and those who suffered from them. The negative stigmas that were often used to describe individuals with mental health issues come in different forms. However, one of the most prevalent negative stigmas is social stigmas. Since stigmas tend to typically be negative, they do not just affect
At the same time, we have also “pitied” anyone with mental problems claiming that due to their cognitive disabilities they were not responsible for their actions (Perlin, 1994). It is indisputable that there are a long standing, complicated and conflicting views when it comes to mental health, however, those views can and do become even more incalculable when mental health is incorporated into the criminal justice system. Society has had many flaws, that have become more evident through time, however, one must understand that being able to provide some sort of defense to individuals with mental illness once they have committed violent crimes, is not just an excuse so said individuals do not have to answer for their wrongdoings, it is a way that they can receive equal and fair representation within the system (Slobogin, 2000). In addition, it is a way for said individuals to receive the appropriate punishment that will be equal to his or her crime, especially when said individual is not “in control of themselves or their cognitive abilities” due to their
Cleburne Living Center, 1985). As mentioned previously, an individual with a severe mental disorder, such as schizophrenia, who for some unknown reason is unable to obtain the necessary treatment that could potentially lessen his symptoms cannot be held completely responsible for his or her actions. Suffering from a mental disorder such as schizophrenia is not equivalent to suffering from mental retardation due to the fact that one out of the two mental disabilities purposefully renders cognitive capabilities and substitutes rational thoughts with hallucinations, delusions and other forms of