The Effects Of Stigma Surrounding Mental Illness

The disparity in treatment has been attempted to be remedied over the eras. Bills and Acts put into place in the 20th and 21st centuries have seeked to improve care and reduce stigma around those with mental illness. This began in 1942, when Harry Truman signed the National Mental Health Act, which requested the formation of a National Institute of Mental Health. Shortly after this, in 1949, the National Institute of Mental Health was established (“National Institute of Mental Health”). During the company’s 60 year lifespan they have focused on research about mental illness, educating the public, and improving the lives of the mentally ill by working to pass laws. One law that seeks to reduce the stigma of mental illness is the Mental Healths Service Act of California. "California 's Historic Effort To Reduce The Stigma Of Mental Illness: The Mental Health Services Act" from the American Journal Of Public Health illustrates how the Act will make improvements. Families and individuals who have experienced stigma had a big role in the process, specifically with developing a 10 year plan, the California Strategic Plan on Reducing Mental Health Stigma and Discrimination. One component of the Act discussed is the work plan developed by California Mental Health Services Authority, which has three components: stigma and discrimination reduction, student mental health, and suicide prevention. Organizations such as the NIMH have made efforts resulting in the evolution of mental

7. Lt Col Chris Karns, "Eliminating Stigma: A Leadership Responsibility," U.S. Air Force, 02 September 2014,

One of the biggest contributors for poor healthcare is the stigma against mental health. This stigma allows healthcare providers to view those with a mental illness as having low relevance, thus creating disinclination towards providing adequate resources and/or care. This negative stance, based on misinformation and prejudice creates those that have a mental illness to lose their self confidence. Because of this loss, people with mental illness decide not to contribute to their health or livelihood. In the past fifty years, many advances have been made in mental healthcare. However, with the attached stigma, many people choose to not seek out treatment.

One in every seventeen people in America suffers from a mental disorder. These disorders inhibit the afflicted person from functioning properly and coping normally with daily life. Many afflicted with a psychological disorder do not exhibit obvious symptoms, as medical advancements have made it possible for these disorders to be suppressed or even nonexistent. Today, however, harsh stigmas exist that unfairly categorize those with a mental illness as violent, unfriendly, and abnormal. The media and federal government are culprits in fabricating the unrealistic depictions of mental disability that define the portrayal of those who are mentally or psychologically disadvantaged.

When describing the brain, it can be labeled as many things but not one-dimensional or simplistic. This is an organ that we find hard to understand because, oddly enough, we have a brain that isn’t wired well enough to understand itself. What makes our brain so complex? Is it the billions of neurons or the trillions of synapses that make up all of our mental connections? The three pound mass in your skull is bursting with power. It comes completely conscious, with state-of-the-art lobes, but doesn’t come without occasional issues. 25% of our population suffer from some form of mental illness (Klevorick). These disorders can range from mild anxiety to a more crippling mental illness known by many, schizophrenia. The big question here is why are mental illnesses feared? When every other part of your body gets sick, one can get sympathy, except the brain (Wax). The first step to ending the stigma is to understand the different forms of mental illness. Second, one should understand how the illness affects the individual who has it, and finally realizing that individuals with these illnesses are not always what they seem. These illnesses are not an act of imagination but are very real to the affected person. A mental illness is hard enough to live with and pairing that with a stigma does not make any situation better. The stigma of mental illness must stop.

It is estimated that 43.5 million Americans, adults 18 or older, live with mental illness. This number represents 18.1% of all U.S. adults (National Institute of Mental Health, 2014). Stigma toward those who are seen as different have existed for as long as civilization itself, with the stigma for mental illness being one of the most prominent and long lasting that society has had to face throughout its ages (Arboleda-Florez & Stuart, 2012). Increased understanding and awareness for those individuals suffering from mental illness is necessary for us to overcome the impacts stigma has on our society.

When society often tends to attach a stigma to mental illness, a person may feel isolated and fear others finding out. Therefore, a person is warrant in their fear of losing their jobs or being treated differently, if they reveal their illness to others. Amy Marturana noted, “Many people fear that being honest about their struggles with mental health will make people see them differently” (The Huffington Post, 2017).

In today’s society we are becoming more aware of the way our words or judgement can hurt others. However, there’s still a lot of stigma around mental illness. This judgement we have towards people with mental illness is what keeps some of them from seeking the help they need. The stigma isn’t just from those without mental illness though. People with mental illness often have their own stigmas as well. We need to come together and show men and women with mental illness that it is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, mental illness can be overcome and improved.

There is a definite stigma attached to metal health disorders and illnesses. I personally believe that the reason there is such a stigma is the lack of education or information. People are often afraid of what they don't know or understand. Therefore, they ostracize or judge the subject/person in question. According to the book "Reducing th Stigma of Mental Illness: A Report from a Global Association, that the stigma is exceptionally severe for those who have schizophrenia. When you stop to think about it, if you have never met someone with schizophrenia you base all of your assumptions off of the media. There have a been movies where the main character has schizophrenia and they are made to seem really unstable and dangerous. This shoots

One in every seventeen people in America suffers from a mental disorder. These disorders inhibit the afflicted person from functioning properly and coping normally with daily life. Many afflicted with a psychological disorder do not exhibit obvious symptoms, as medical advancements have made it possible for these disorders to be suppressed or even nonexistent. Today, however, harsh stigmas exist that unfairly categorize those with a mental illness as violent, unfriendly, and abnormal. The media and federal government are culprits in fabricating the unrealistic depictions of mental disability that define the portrayal of those who are mentally or psychologically disadvantaged.

People with mental illness experience negative stereotypes. Such as stigmatization and ostracism from society. Stigmatization is a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance .It can result from various factors such as personality traits and abnormalities such as overt or external (Hasa, 2015).People with mental illness are mostly stigmatized because they are labeled as “mentally ill “ or because of a certain behavior they manifest clearly indicates that they belong to that group. Stigmatization of people with psychological disorder is caused by the public misconception and lack of knowledge regarding people with mental illness or. In addition, those who are less educated people perceive the people with mental illness more negatively compared to those who are more educated. Therefore when people labeled as mentally ill, it leaves a negative effect on public attitudes towards them clearly

I really liked reading our post. I find it very interesting that whenever rural areas are talked about the first thing that normally comes up is the lack of resources and funds. The wrap around service should be implemented in rural areas. I think that it will definitely make a positive impact on the community. Honestly I think that the stigma of mental health plays a big role throughout the rural community. Since the rural community has lack of fund that have to spend their money in what they think is the most important to them. Unfortunately mental health is not one of those things. This is why the wrap around service needs to be applied.

The stigma of mental health illness, in couple relationships, is often overlooked, as it may be misrepresented as stress, poor communication, or even personality disorders. However, these cases, the condition of one spouse that is experiencing difficulties in balancing their illness creates stress on the other spouse that is healthy (Wetchler & Hecker. 2015).

Counselors can reduce the stigma related to mental illness among African American by making it easy for the client to trust them. The client needs to know that is okay to seek help for their mental illness and how to cope with the illness. If there were more African American in the mental health field than many would be willing to accept counseling. They would feel like someone can relate to

This paper will be discussing the topic that has been selected for the upcoming integrative project. This topic is the social stigma that is behind seeking-mental help among individuals in North America. Stigmatization can have a severe effect on the likelihood that an individual will seek services. The topic was selected due to an interest as to how public stigma and self-stigma may play a role or how they may interfere with one’s decision-making of seeking mental health services. Even though the consequences of not seeking the counselling may be severe. It is important to understand the reasons why people do not seek the help they need and how stigma plays a role, so a solution can be made to change it.