Stigma Mental Illness
Stigma and Mental Illness
Numerous studies have been conducted in order to help us as a society better understand what leads to the stigma that is attached to many mental illnesses. The most dramatic component of mental illness stigmatization is discrimination. Individuals who have been labeled with a mental illness experience discrimination in the workplace, healthcare and educational systems, and discrimination socially (Cummings, Lucas, and Druss, 2013). The development of the stigma consists of four main components: stereotypes, prejudice, cues, and discrimination, which can later develop into a public, structural, courtesy, or self-stigma. With the interaction of all of these components, the quality of life for an individual with mental …show more content…
Negative stereotypic beliefs that are globally held contribute to the formation of public stigma, and further manifests itself when a group or community withholds help, avoids contact, or segregates those affected by a particular mental illness. When negative stereotypes interfere with law or public policy, they are contributing to structural stigma, which can lead to discrimination of rights directed at individuals who have been diagnosed with a particular mental illness. Courtesy stigma can form by basic association with an individual who has a diagnosed or perceived mental illness. This is particularly common among the parents and family members of individuals with mental illness. They are essentially blamed for “causing” or “making their illness worse.” Self-stigma can manifest when a mentally ill individual begins to internalize the negative stereotypes associated with their illness. This can lead them to be reluctant to seek and adhere to treatment, withdrawal socially, and not fulfil their full potential in the workplace. Self-stigma can lead to a dramatic decrease in self-esteem, as well as quality of life for the affected individual (Theurer, Jean-Paul, Cheyney, Koro-Ljungberg, & Stevens. 2015).
According to researchers, the construct of modern-day stigma has stemmed from the outdated belief that mental illnesses are caused by supernatural forces. In ancient primitive civilizations, religious groups and governments would “control” the mentally ill via incarceration and/or isolation in order to preserve a rather normative social construct. As time went on, these practices became rather solidified social norms (Theurer et al.,
Numerous studies have been conducted in order to help us as a society better understand what leads to the stigma that is attached to many mental illnesses. The most dramatic component of mental illness stigmatization is discrimination. Individuals who have been labeled with a mental illness experience discrimination in the workplace, healthcare and educational systems, and discrimination socially (Cummings, Lucas, and Druss, 2013). The development of the stigma consists of four main components: stereotypes, prejudice, cues, and discrimination, which can later develop into a public, structural, courtesy, or self-stigma. With the interaction of all of these components, the quality of life for an individual with mental …show more content…
Negative stereotypic beliefs that are globally held contribute to the formation of public stigma, and further manifests itself when a group or community withholds help, avoids contact, or segregates those affected by a particular mental illness. When negative stereotypes interfere with law or public policy, they are contributing to structural stigma, which can lead to discrimination of rights directed at individuals who have been diagnosed with a particular mental illness. Courtesy stigma can form by basic association with an individual who has a diagnosed or perceived mental illness. This is particularly common among the parents and family members of individuals with mental illness. They are essentially blamed for “causing” or “making their illness worse.” Self-stigma can manifest when a mentally ill individual begins to internalize the negative stereotypes associated with their illness. This can lead them to be reluctant to seek and adhere to treatment, withdrawal socially, and not fulfil their full potential in the workplace. Self-stigma can lead to a dramatic decrease in self-esteem, as well as quality of life for the affected individual (Theurer, Jean-Paul, Cheyney, Koro-Ljungberg, & Stevens. 2015).
According to researchers, the construct of modern-day stigma has stemmed from the outdated belief that mental illnesses are caused by supernatural forces. In ancient primitive civilizations, religious groups and governments would “control” the mentally ill via incarceration and/or isolation in order to preserve a rather normative social construct. As time went on, these practices became rather solidified social norms (Theurer et al.,