Mental Health Stigma Essay
Stigma and discrimination go hand-in-hand, especially when it comes to mental illness. According to the Wisconsin United for Mental Health website, “. . . people with a mental illness would rather tell their employers they have committed a petty crime and were in jail than admit to being in a psychiatric hospital.” Herein lays the core effect of stigma associated with mental health issues – discrimination and diminished self-worth.
Frequently, stigma against people with mental health disorders involves propagation of inaccurate and negative perceptions – namely by the media. Movies and other media platforms often portray those with mental illness as violent, incompetent and disdainful. Perpetuation of hurtful and inaccurate stereotypes by the media is especially harmful because of the profound role it has in shaping and influencing social …show more content…
Learning to live with mental health problems is made more difficult, when someone experiences the prejudice caused by stigma.
Stigma can be used to exclude and marginalize people. The prejudice and fear caused by stigma may even prevent people from coming forward and seeking the help they need. Stigma can also stop people offering help or being supportive. Stigma often inhibits people from getting the jobs they are qualified to do and it can prevent people with mental health problems from playing an active role in their community.
Social impact of mental health stigma:
In addition to the economic costs associated with mental health problems, there are significant social and personal costs. People with mental health problems consistently identify stigma, discrimination and social exclusion as major barriers to their health, well-being and quality of life. Stigma can and does contribute to:
Limiting access to housing and employment
Damaging social relationships and social
Frequently, stigma against people with mental health disorders involves propagation of inaccurate and negative perceptions – namely by the media. Movies and other media platforms often portray those with mental illness as violent, incompetent and disdainful. Perpetuation of hurtful and inaccurate stereotypes by the media is especially harmful because of the profound role it has in shaping and influencing social …show more content…
Learning to live with mental health problems is made more difficult, when someone experiences the prejudice caused by stigma.
Stigma can be used to exclude and marginalize people. The prejudice and fear caused by stigma may even prevent people from coming forward and seeking the help they need. Stigma can also stop people offering help or being supportive. Stigma often inhibits people from getting the jobs they are qualified to do and it can prevent people with mental health problems from playing an active role in their community.
Social impact of mental health stigma:
In addition to the economic costs associated with mental health problems, there are significant social and personal costs. People with mental health problems consistently identify stigma, discrimination and social exclusion as major barriers to their health, well-being and quality of life. Stigma can and does contribute to:
Limiting access to housing and employment
Damaging social relationships and social