Stigma Of Depression In Australia
The impact of institutionalisation and stigma on depression sufferers
Overview of population group
The leading cause for disability globally, depression is a condition wherein emotional numbness and /or extreme sadness is experienced for prolonged periods, possibly without cause (beyondblue, n.d.; mind your head, n.d.). Affecting one in seven Australians in their lifetime, and approximately one million Australian adults in any one year, depression has the third highest burden of all diseases both internationally and in Australia (Black Dog Institute, 2012). Fortunately, the Council of Australian Governments Roadmap for National Mental Health Reform 2012-22 has committed to minimising the stigma and discrimination towards mental illnesses within …show more content…
Discussed in week two’s lecture, Weiss et al. defines it as the phenomenon wherein individuals with an attribute condemned society are excluded, blamed, or devalued (Henderson, 2016). Moreover, Goffman theorises stigma to be the virtual social identity that is ‘demanded’ of people and become their normative expectations (Goffman, 1986). A major issue for those suffering from depression, the 2016 Depression Stigma Scale revealed that of 3998 Australians with depression, 37.8% believed that others thought people with depression were dangerous, and 69.1% thought that “most people would not employ someone they knew had been depressed” (Griffiths, 2016). It is because of this that people with depression can feel dehumanised, with the scale also revealing that 13.4% perceived depression as a personal weakness (Griffiths, …show more content…
Moreover, it aims to reveal the consequences of the stigma associated with depression and those suffering from it. Divided into two ‘worlds’, the black on the right represents the loneliness and gloom that often accompany depression. It symbolises death in the form of self destruction, with the darkness and solidity of the colour signifying a distinct barrier and segregation from the ‘outside world’ resulting from the stigma. The grey prison bars behind which the figure sits portray the idea of institutionalisation, and the way in which it traps those suffering from depression, disabling them from reaching happiness and freedom, namely, the yellow side. Evidently, the yellow side is in open space, signifying a life that allows self-governance, unlike life in a total institution (i.e. psychiatric hospital). The painting also incorporates three stick figures, with two that are sitting in opposing sides of the canvas, pulling the figure in the middle by a rope to their sides; either to happiness (yellow), or depression (black). It can be seen that the limbs of the middle figure are reaching out towards the yellow area, however, their body is distinctly towards the black side. This signifies the desire of depression sufferers to reach contentment, but the inability of their mind and body to do so.
Overview of population group
The leading cause for disability globally, depression is a condition wherein emotional numbness and /or extreme sadness is experienced for prolonged periods, possibly without cause (beyondblue, n.d.; mind your head, n.d.). Affecting one in seven Australians in their lifetime, and approximately one million Australian adults in any one year, depression has the third highest burden of all diseases both internationally and in Australia (Black Dog Institute, 2012). Fortunately, the Council of Australian Governments Roadmap for National Mental Health Reform 2012-22 has committed to minimising the stigma and discrimination towards mental illnesses within …show more content…
Discussed in week two’s lecture, Weiss et al. defines it as the phenomenon wherein individuals with an attribute condemned society are excluded, blamed, or devalued (Henderson, 2016). Moreover, Goffman theorises stigma to be the virtual social identity that is ‘demanded’ of people and become their normative expectations (Goffman, 1986). A major issue for those suffering from depression, the 2016 Depression Stigma Scale revealed that of 3998 Australians with depression, 37.8% believed that others thought people with depression were dangerous, and 69.1% thought that “most people would not employ someone they knew had been depressed” (Griffiths, 2016). It is because of this that people with depression can feel dehumanised, with the scale also revealing that 13.4% perceived depression as a personal weakness (Griffiths, …show more content…
Moreover, it aims to reveal the consequences of the stigma associated with depression and those suffering from it. Divided into two ‘worlds’, the black on the right represents the loneliness and gloom that often accompany depression. It symbolises death in the form of self destruction, with the darkness and solidity of the colour signifying a distinct barrier and segregation from the ‘outside world’ resulting from the stigma. The grey prison bars behind which the figure sits portray the idea of institutionalisation, and the way in which it traps those suffering from depression, disabling them from reaching happiness and freedom, namely, the yellow side. Evidently, the yellow side is in open space, signifying a life that allows self-governance, unlike life in a total institution (i.e. psychiatric hospital). The painting also incorporates three stick figures, with two that are sitting in opposing sides of the canvas, pulling the figure in the middle by a rope to their sides; either to happiness (yellow), or depression (black). It can be seen that the limbs of the middle figure are reaching out towards the yellow area, however, their body is distinctly towards the black side. This signifies the desire of depression sufferers to reach contentment, but the inability of their mind and body to do so.