A mental illness is a an identifiable collection of abnormal behaviours and thoughts considered to be reflections of extreme versions of what is thought to be normal. A 2007 national survey by the Australian Government has revealed that approximately 45.5% of Australians have experienced a mental illness in their lifetime ("Prevalence of mental disorders", 2007). Following on from this, it can be seen that nearly nine out of ten individuals with a mental health disorder claim that some variety of discrimination has had a negative effect on their lives ("Stigma and discrimination", 2015). Stigma is defined as a negative characteristic or symbol of shame regarding an individual to be worthless and disgraceful. Stigma can take many forms however
…show more content…
It can improve the levels of successful treatments by educating suffers about stigma and how to cope with it, whilst introducing public campaigns to reduce the widespread social stigma about mental health problems.
Stigma and discrimination associated with mental illnesses can be broken down into two distinct categories, personal and social stigma. Personal stigma occurs from an individual’s own internalized negative perceptions, consequently suffering from decreased self-worth and self-confidence. Whereas social stigma is related to the general public withholding negative stereotypes, attitudes and perceptions such as dangerousness, blameworthiness and incompetence towards people diagnosed with a mental disorder (Corrigan & Shapiro, 2010). The interaction and combination of personal and social stigma causes an individual who has a mental health disorder to internally share the same …show more content…
For these treatment seeking barriers created by societal discrimination to be removed, both personal and social stigma must be sufficiently and comprehensively eliminated and controlled before the situation develops into a much greater issue; one such way is through education. There can be a reduction in social stigma by implementing public educational programs throughout community as they allow suffers to feel more accepted and acknowledged by society, and therefor are more motivated to partake and engage in their much desired treatment. Likewise, personal stigma has been seen to decrease through successful therapeutic educational interventions. This strategy counteracts the damaging effects of mental illness stigmatization, enabling individuals to feel an increased sense of self-worth in society encouraging them to seek required services and treatment earlier and with a better outlook on life. Together, these strategies can be combined to benefit the lives of individuals living with mental disorders, creating a society that is increasingly accepting and welcoming to everyone no matter of the
It can improve the levels of successful treatments by educating suffers about stigma and how to cope with it, whilst introducing public campaigns to reduce the widespread social stigma about mental health problems.
Stigma and discrimination associated with mental illnesses can be broken down into two distinct categories, personal and social stigma. Personal stigma occurs from an individual’s own internalized negative perceptions, consequently suffering from decreased self-worth and self-confidence. Whereas social stigma is related to the general public withholding negative stereotypes, attitudes and perceptions such as dangerousness, blameworthiness and incompetence towards people diagnosed with a mental disorder (Corrigan & Shapiro, 2010). The interaction and combination of personal and social stigma causes an individual who has a mental health disorder to internally share the same …show more content…
For these treatment seeking barriers created by societal discrimination to be removed, both personal and social stigma must be sufficiently and comprehensively eliminated and controlled before the situation develops into a much greater issue; one such way is through education. There can be a reduction in social stigma by implementing public educational programs throughout community as they allow suffers to feel more accepted and acknowledged by society, and therefor are more motivated to partake and engage in their much desired treatment. Likewise, personal stigma has been seen to decrease through successful therapeutic educational interventions. This strategy counteracts the damaging effects of mental illness stigmatization, enabling individuals to feel an increased sense of self-worth in society encouraging them to seek required services and treatment earlier and with a better outlook on life. Together, these strategies can be combined to benefit the lives of individuals living with mental disorders, creating a society that is increasingly accepting and welcoming to everyone no matter of the