Misconception Of Mental Health

Problem Statement
The misconception of mental illness and the stigma that follows can exacerbate the difficulties faced by Barbadians living with mental health problems, causing an impact on them seeking mental health care and maintaining their optimal levels of functioning.
What is mental Health
Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.
The positive dimension of mental health is stressed in WHO's definition of health as contained in its constitution: "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely
Stigma leads to negative behavior and stereotyping and to discriminatory behavior toward persons with mental illness (Davidson et al.,1998). Major depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide among persons five and older. (World Health Organization, "Global Burden of Disease," 1996), Depression ranks among the top three workplace issues, following only family crisis and stress. Stigma may cause affected persons to experience denial, rejection and to feel shame about their condition. Despite the existence of effective treatments for mental disorders, there is a belief that people with mental disorders are difficult, not intelligent, or incapable of making decisions. Many people with serious mental illness are challenged doubly. On one hand, they struggle with the symptoms and disabilities that result from the disease. On the other, they are challenged by the stereotypes and prejudice that result from misconceptions about mental illness. Because of both, people with mental illness are robbed of the opportunities that define a quality life: good jobs, satisfactory health care, and affiliation with a diverse group of
It is unfortunate that when a person enters the gates of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, unless a person is admitted to a ward that the callobra of patient placed on that ward, persons are simply ill and in need of care. It is disappointing to see health professions speedily looking to discharge a patient out of the emergency room as a mental illness is made known, due to the perception that the person may start to act ‘crazy’ patient’s mental illness is the first to be handed over that may have no impact on the physical ailment at the time. Where is the professionalism amongst the professions, why aren’t persons seen as simply ill when they enter the Psychiatric Hospital? Stigma can exist out of stupidity but when it is expressed by persons trained to know differently, it has gone pass the level the stupidity but just down right ignorance, leaving nothing for the public to