Stigma: Alive and well - Assignment Example

Stigma: Alive and Well Stigma: Alive and Well Main Point by the Mental illness is an aspect that makes those affected to be stigmatized as they are rarely accepted anywhere ranging from the work place to other families in terms of marriage. They view it as an impairedness that can easily be transmitted to the next generation. They are regarded as being violent and unorganized. The fact that a woman can drown her own children is an issue that will be regarded by society as mental illness leading to the assumption that the woman could have forgotten her medication (Dingfelder, 2009).

Traditionally, some of the societies would kill or ex communicate any member of the society who was found to be mentally ill as they saw them as a burden or bad luck. This could be blamed on the level. Of illiteracy but with time society has to learn to accept each and every member of the society despite the level of being handicapped. It is also clear that most people are not aware of the fact that even getting stressed and depression is a form of mental illness and if not treated it advances to a higher and more complicated level.

It is this ignorance that has resulted to an increased number of the mentally ill in the society. Therefore unless society is enlightened on such situations and how they can handle them, then they should be ready to continue accepting more cases of mental illness in the society. Strong Features by the Author The author believes that it is the society that pushes individuals with mental illness to internalize the stereotypes that they have set upon them. The stigma grows even bigger when some of them are thrown out into the streets and have no home to turn to in terms of obtaining support them.

They turn away from the medication as they seem to have lost hope. Therefore the author sees family support for the mentally ill as a vital aspect that would push them into quick recovery. They have a family belongingness which to them is vital compared to the medication. The isolation of the mentally ill from the families deprives them of the social support that they would have obtained in order to facilitate quick recovery. When children grow up they are socialized to believe that the mentally ill are not normal people and this could be a stereotype that would take years to end.

He therefore wishes to see a society that will readily accept the mentally ill in the hospital. He also wishes that society can come up with a remedy on how to handle the situation instead of ignoring them and denying them social support. The author advocates for the anti-stigma campaigns where they should focus on the methods to reduce the negative depictions that people in the society have about the mentally ill. This has been evidenced through the Scottish mental health arts where they hold festivals in form of films and comedy with the aim of educating the society on the mentally ill.

Lesson Learnt I have learnt that to some extent it is society that encourages the increasing number of mad individuals in the society. This can be attributed to the stigma that has been caused on them through isolation from the family support or even denying them medication. They see them as a burden and society is therefore not yet ready to accept them completely as one of them. It would be advisable if members of the society undergo a session of enlightenment on the issue that we can all never be the same in the society and therefore have to learn to be accommodative as much as possible.

It is evident that the information being obtained by the current generation makes them go ahead to think of how they can improve the situation of the mentally ill and this explains why in most situations there are rehabilitation centers and mental hospitals where they are taken to. Continued support for the campaigns and other programs that carter for the welfare of the mentally ill are likely to bring with it a positive impact on the general performance of the mentally ill. With the social support, it will be clear that they are well cared for and stigma will no longer be an issue as they are able to accept their situation and the society around them (Dingfelder, 2009).

Application to the Current WorldWith reference to the information that society has regarding the mentally ill, it is clear that the current generation has grown to be more stereotypical as compared to other generations. This can be evidenced by the fact that most families are not ready to handle the mentally ill in their houses but prefer to take them to special homes where they can be taken care of by the specialists. They pay them a visit once in a while and for those cases that are considered as being less serious, they would prefer to take them to the rehabilitation centers where there is hope that their conditions may improve.

This is attributed to the fact that some of the mentally ill are as a result of the effect of drug abuse and therefore expect them to stop abusing the drugs after their period is over in the rehabilitation centers (Dingfelder, 2009). Campaigns like the Canadian campaign are moves that cannot be ignored as they have formed a basis for interaction between the society and the mentally ill. Through these campaigns and interaction, they have been able to reduce the stigma that the mentally ill suffer in society through giving them the social support which is regarded as a major healer.

Advancement in technology has brought with it a positive look on how the issues for the mentally ill are now being handled in the society (Dingfelder, 2009). Traditionally, they were regarded as being a bad omen in the society and that therefore ex communicated. In some cases they would be offered as a sacrifice to the gods so as to appease then in cases where they were experiencing such calamities as drought or sickness. Personal OpinionStigma in the society can be attributed to the mode of socialization that individuals were exposed to.

Process of enlightening the society is likely to be effective in helping individuals to appreciate the mentally ill in the society. Therefore as societies orient their children in society it has to be with reference to all the members of the society despite their physical capabilities. Mental illness is simply impairment in judgment an indication that it is a temporary situation that can be corrected. I would wish for a generation that would view mental illness as a disease just like the other (Dingfelder, 2006).

The government should come up in full force to support the campaigns that are being undertaken by both the public and private agencies. The support could be in terms of provision of finances to ensure that the mentally ill receive adequate medication and rehabilitation where it is required for their situation. The enlightenment sessions have to be the responsibility of the government with the help of other private agencies so as to help the society on the other turn to reduce on the level of stigmatization in them.

ReferencesDingfelder, Sadie, F. Stigma: Alive and Well. London: Monitor Staff Publishers. Vol 40 (6). June 2009.