Mental Illness Stereotypes

Prejudice Towards People with Mental Illness
Individuals diagnosed (currently or formerly) with a mental illness face many difficulties in life such as, prejudice and stigmas. Mental illness is still seen as a sign of weakness despite of the current knowledge that is available (Byrne, 2000). Stigma is a term with Greek origins. The Greeks cut or burned the skin of a person with a stigma to show that they are blemished, and should be avoided at all costs (Goffman, 1963). Stigmas are a sign of disgrace that makes a person different from other people (Schaefer, 2004). Stigmas occur when society uses a label to degrade someone within a certain social group. A person’s physical appearance is not considered when it comes to stigmas. An individual
Individuals with mental illness should have other people care for them. Life decisions cannot be made by a person with mental illness. A person with severe mental illness does not have an honest excuse about their illness. (Byrne, 2000; Corrigan & Penn, 1999). All of the former statements are commonly believed stereotypes. Stereotypes are social in nature for they are misconceptions that are agreed on by a group of people. However, stereotypes are efficient because little mental resources are used when generating impressions and expectations of the people who belong to a certain group (Corrigan & Penn, 1999). Goffman (1963) argued that there is no difference in people with or without stigmas. The difference is only a matter of perception. Stereotypes are learned and efficient since people can quickly generate expectations and impressions of individuals. Stereotypes make the dismissal of a person easier. The media plays a role in the many believed stereotypes about mental illness. The media often portray mental illness incorrectly as a mean of comedy. Psycho-killer /maniac, indulgent, libidinous, childlike personality, and pathetic, sad characters are commonly depicted stereotypes of people with mental illness (Byrne, 2000). Even though we may have knowledge of a stereotype that does not mean we agree with it (Corrigan & Watson,
The internet is an easy way to share and distribute information to a lot of people effectively. Anti-stigma campaigns can easily be started in this way. Changing Minds is an example of one of these campaigns. The goal of Changing Minds is to help reduce the amount of prejudice. Changing Minds slogan is “stop, think, and understand”. Changing Minds have published information for the public on stigmas within medical journals (Byrne, 2000).
Advocacy groups use protesting as a method of reducing stigmas. Advocacy groups want the media to stop displaying inaccurate representations of mental illness, and for individuals to stop believing these representations. Protesting diminishes negative attitudes, but do not put forward factual positive attitudes. Protests can reduce stereotype about mental illness. Protesting usually occurs at the location stigmatization happens. Protest is not as effective when compared with education or contact methods (Corrigan & Penn,