Stigma and Prejudice Can Have a Big Impact on the Lives of People Dealing with Mental Illness - Essay Example

? Stigma and Prejudice can have a Big Impact on the Lives of People Dealing with Mental Illness of ] [Date] Stigma and Prejudice can have a Big Impact on the Lives of People Dealing with Mental Illness Introduction Despite increased awareness regarding mental illness among people, it has been noted that there one in every ten people in the world who are unable to opt for early treatment when exposed to symptoms of schizophrenia. This discussion paper aims to understand the highlighting key issues to the contagious situation of stigma and prejudice to mental illness such as schizophrenia. These notable issues include self-stigma, public stigma and ways to treat stigma. Furthermore, the paper shall pin point each factor with its end results in the form of discussion allowing better visibility of stigma and prejudice in the society against mental illnesses. In addition, the paper will allow an in-depth analysis of the ways treatment can be provided to schizophrenic people. Understanding the Peculiar Terms In literal terms, schizophrenia is a mental disorder in which an individual who breaks down his or her thought process depending upon the emotional experience. Schizophrenia is greatly characterized by a number of factors of which stigma is one with profound impact (Lucas & Phelan, 2012). Stigma is referred to as resistance by public and person’s own attitude towards schizophrenic situation. Also to note is the fact that critical attitude have created notions and prejudice in societies where it has become critical for the schizophrenic patients. Herein, prejudice means an act of decision-making without making any necessary investigation into the issue (Ries, Miller, & Fiellin, 2009). According to the article entitled, “STIGMA and prejudice can have a big impact on the lives of people dealing with mental illness”, people with mental illness have delayed early treatments because they have been under severe stigmatic fears. The questions remain regarding the factors which have rather created the fear of stigma among mentally ill person to a high degree (Heath, 2013). As a matter of fact, the factors involved with stigma against schizophrenic people are no different from other mental sickness such as depression, anxiety, hypertension etc (Knifton & Quinn, 2013). Public Stigma There are a number of factors and issues which have made stigma and prejudice a critical barrier for people with mental illness in seeking early treatment. General public involved in stereotyping and prejudice making stigma as a critical hindrance point against people with mental illness, especially patients with schizophrenia, include employers, relatives, family, friends and service providers. Each set of these people have maintained different attitudes and behaviors against mentally ill person. It is one true fact that almost every person in the world has one or more mental problems that they deal with each day. Some of them reach to a higher degree of mental state which is probably treatable when they are provided a normal daily routine with maintained social interactions with other members of the societies (Goffman, 2009). It has often been noted that employers deny opportunities to employees with mental illness. This takes away job and accommodation from a person. It will not be incorrect to state that such an attitude towards mentally ill person creates an air of stigma in the society. This clearly gives an idea that a person who might be aware of his or her symptoms indicating schizophrenia would not opt for treatment from a psychiatrist because of the fear of stigma (Osuji, 2012). Thus, it can be said that employers play a major role in creating stigma for people with mental illness. Stigma, often called as social distancing has been noted in different walks of life. Be it relatives who would not like to associate with a schizophrenic person. In addition it is expected of inconsiderate relatives that they would make it more critical for the person with mental illness to undergo treatment. It should be noted that a person with mental illness can only undergo effective treatment when he or she is socializing. If a social circle will remind that person of his weakness then it is expected that mentally ill person would not be able to effectively absorb the effects of treatment (Government of Western Australia, 2013). In other words, it can be said that a person needs social interactions to get away with the mental instability. In many cases, families have also denied to play treating role to a member with mental illness such as schizophrenia. Mostly, childcare is taken away from such persons because it is believed that they cannot take the responsibility of one’s life. According to a number of researches, it was found out that a patient with mental illness may not be able to understand the situation of being at risk until or unless he or she practically understands the outcomes. It is due to this reason that they need to be in a similar situation where they have been initially (Knifton & Quinn, 2013). Another highlighting issue is the role of media in spreading social stigma. A number of novels and short stories are written by authors who present their characters to be in a critical phase because of their conditions and risk of being mentally ill. Similar instances can be noted through films and theatrical performances where directors would send out a message that mentally ill people may be very critical to deal with. It is an evident fact that media plays a very significant role in shaping a society. It is because of this reason that media has been given an open hand by almost every country of the world. Instead of taking a positive step by these media persons against mentally ill people, it is projected that such people are not able to adjust to a normal setting. Hence, this is accepted by the public that mentally ill people must be put on the aid of mental service institutions. Contradictory to such an attitude of public, it is noted that situation of mentally ill people become worse each day at such institutions despite hypothetically designed social activities (Ries, Miller, & Fiellin, 2009). Self Stigma Another factor making stigma as a greater hindrance point is where one becomes against oneself. This is often known as self-stigma where people are not able to understand the situation and would make them reluctant of accepting the fact that they require early treatment. If any diseases be it biological or mental, provided with early treatment then the overall intensity of the disease can lessen down by large. But due to self-stigma, it is almost impossible to undergo such treatment plans. Again, the reason behind self-stigma is public ignorance which is felt by a patient in every aspect of life. This makes it evident that stigma is not created on its own but it is rather a result of ignorance put forward by general public (Goffman, 2009). Ways to reduce stigma In addition, educational sector has also fell short in providing necessary information through curriculum regarding treatment with mentally ill people. Very fewer schools, colleges and universities have been able to create programs where students are trained regarding attitude towards mentally ill people (Stephen, 2012). This call for a quickening curriculum change or at least increase this issues as an educational activity where seminars could be arranged to help students learn regarding ways of treating friends and family members who may be at the risk of schizophrenia (Tindall, 2009). Lack of civic forum is considerably another factor which has created nuisance for people with schizophrenic condition. These days, most of the issues including political and education have become viral and public forum online and live. It has been noted that such discussions have created a momentum and awareness among societies. However, such civic forums remain less in the society (Lucas & Phelan, 2012). Implication of Stigma Some critics claim that now people have more acceptance regarding mental illness as the scope of psychiatry has increased by large in past ten years. But the fact remains that acute mental illness such as schizophrenia remains problematic. It is the need of the hour that people come up with civic forums and campaigns especially designed to spread awareness. This will not just allow the research and development institutions to evaluate the possibilities of helping in social interaction of schizophrenic people but also allow better understanding of treatments that can be provided to such people. Through the above discussion of different highlight issues which have resulted in stigma and prejudice, it becomes easier to understand that it has become complicated for the mentally ill people to opt for early treatment because they consider the public isolation as a punishment. Also to note is the fact that this fear creates more nuisance for these people because all they need is stronger social interactions. Among different factors, media, family, relatives, employers, service providers have all contributed in the critical situation of such mentally ill people (Hughway, 2012). The number of approaches which have been suggested in above can be implied in such a manner that it will allow people to accept the fact that people with symptoms of schizophrenia can surely maintain a normal life. This will result in provision of equal opportunities to all such members. Some critics claim that now people have more acceptance regarding mental illness as the scope of psychiatry has increased by large in past ten years. But the fact remains that acute mental illness such as schizophrenia remains problematic. It is the need of the hour that people come up with civic forums and campaigns especially designed to spread awareness. This will not just allow the research and development institutions to evaluate the possibilities of helping in social interaction of schizophrenic people but also allow better understanding of treatments that can be provided to such people. Recommendation It is rather suggested that social media networks are aware of the imperativeness of discussing the role that media and civic forums can play in maintaining counter argument against stigma and prejudice. Commutative analysis of research have marked that schizophrenic people have lower self-esteem because they are not able to discus about their feelings and experiences. If they are provided with platforms where they can meet people like themselves and discuss their issues then it is expected that they will have a very light yet positive outlook to life. This will also allow them to opt for natural ways of treatment rather than taking medicines and biological testing. References List Goffman, E. (2009). Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity. Illonis: Simon and Schuster. Government of Western Australia. (2013). What is stigma? Retrieved from mentalhealth.wa.gov.au: http://www.mentalhealth.wa.gov.au/mental_illness_and_health/mh_stigma.aspx Heath, J. (2013, May 15). Stigma and Prejudice can have a big impact on the lives of people dealing with mental illness. Mandurah Coastal Tme, p. Online. Hughway, M. (2012). Stigma Allure and White Antiracist Identity Management. Social Psychology Quarterly, 75(3), 219-241. Knifton, L., & Quinn, N. (2013). Public Mental Health: Global Perspectives. New York: McGraw-Hill International. Lucas, J., & Phelan, J. (2012). Stigma and Status: The Interrelation of Two Theoretical Perspectives. Social Psychology Quarterly, 75(1), 310-330. Osuji, J. (2012). Chronic Illness in Canada: Impact and Intervention. New York: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Ries, R., Miller, S., & Fiellin, D. (2009). Principles of Addiction Medicine. New York: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Hinshaw,S. (2012). The Mark of Shame : Stigma of Mental Illness and an Agenda for Change: Stigma of Mental Illness and an Agenda for Change. London: Oxford University Press. Tindall, N. (2009). Identity, Power, and Difference: The Management of Roles and Self Among Public Relations Practitioners. New York: ProQuest. Read More