Stigma and Depression
Stigma
• Can be described as negative attitudes (prejudice) and negative responses (discrimination) which can make a person feel unwanted and shamed (stigmatized) • Prejudice is when someone is judged or feels hostile to another person or group of people • Discrimination is an act of prejudice, (i.e. denying someone employment, housing or services) • Discrimination can be intentional or unintentional, systemic or covert • Discrimination is a violation of a person’s human rights and could result in prosecution under the Ontario Human Rights Code • Stigma affects people with substance use and mental health problems • Stigma can change how you see yourself and how you feel about yourself • Anyone can experience mental health problems such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia and eating disorders • Mental health problems can affect people of all ages, genders and cultures • 1 in 5 Canadians will have a mental health problem during their lifetime • 40-60% of people with a mental health problem also suffer from a substance use problem in their lifetime • Because of stigma, many people with mental health problems find it hard to reach out and get help • A Simple Act of Kindness Can Make A Difference • Stigma is not only about hurting someone’s feelings but also about prejudice, discrimination and the violation of a person’s human rights
I know that with this information, if I doesn’t prevent stigma, it will at least inform people and raise awareness which is important not only for older people but also younger people as well.
Kyra Bernard 12A Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Mental Health, Mr. Gurney
Block G
Depression
• We tend to use “depressed” to describe when we are feeling down, however clinical depression is much more than just sadness • Normal sadness – often the result of a stressful event which starts to lift within two
• Can be described as negative attitudes (prejudice) and negative responses (discrimination) which can make a person feel unwanted and shamed (stigmatized) • Prejudice is when someone is judged or feels hostile to another person or group of people • Discrimination is an act of prejudice, (i.e. denying someone employment, housing or services) • Discrimination can be intentional or unintentional, systemic or covert • Discrimination is a violation of a person’s human rights and could result in prosecution under the Ontario Human Rights Code • Stigma affects people with substance use and mental health problems • Stigma can change how you see yourself and how you feel about yourself • Anyone can experience mental health problems such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia and eating disorders • Mental health problems can affect people of all ages, genders and cultures • 1 in 5 Canadians will have a mental health problem during their lifetime • 40-60% of people with a mental health problem also suffer from a substance use problem in their lifetime • Because of stigma, many people with mental health problems find it hard to reach out and get help • A Simple Act of Kindness Can Make A Difference • Stigma is not only about hurting someone’s feelings but also about prejudice, discrimination and the violation of a person’s human rights
I know that with this information, if I doesn’t prevent stigma, it will at least inform people and raise awareness which is important not only for older people but also younger people as well.
Kyra Bernard 12A Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Mental Health, Mr. Gurney
Block G
Depression
• We tend to use “depressed” to describe when we are feeling down, however clinical depression is much more than just sadness • Normal sadness – often the result of a stressful event which starts to lift within two