Mental Health Stigma

by Catholic Church (England and Wales) Despite the increase in publicity surrounding mental health and mental health issues, there is still a lack o

Stress And Mental Illness Work Smart. Live Smart. - Part 3

by Catholic Church (England and Wales)

Despite the increase in publicity surrounding mental health and mental health issues, there is still a lack of understanding about mental health in general. For example, a research survey published by the government "Attitudes to Mental Illness 2007" reported that 63% of those surveyed described someone who is mentally ill as suffering from schizophrenia, and more than half believed that people with mental illness should be kept in a psychiatric ward or hospital. Overall the results showed that positive attitudes to people with mental health had actually decreased since 1994 which is worrying indeed.

Amazingly, many people still don't understand that mental health problems affect most of us in one way or another, whether we are suffering from a mental illness ourselves or not. If we bear in mind that a quarter of the population are suffering from some kind of mental health problem at any one time, then the chances are, even if we personally don't have a mental illness, we will know someone close to us who does, so it is our responsibility to understand what mental illness is and what can be done about it.

Many people with mental health problems will often feel isolated and rejected and too afraid to share their problems with others purely because of the way they might be perceived. This lack of understanding means they are less likely to get the kind of help and support they need and are in danger of slipping even further into depression and mental illness. People need to understand that mental illness need not be a barrier to a better quality of life and that help is available and that most people with a mental health problem can regain full control over their lives if they get the support they need.

A new guide to mental health

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has produced a new guide to mental health which was published in November 2007 and is aimed at informing the general public about what mental illness is and is a big step towards tackling the stigma that is still attached to mental illness.

The guide is written in an easy to understand format and over 60 mental health experts have contributed to it. The Mind: A User's Guide contains chapters that cover a whole range of mental illnesses and includes a section on how the brain works, how mental illness is diagnosed, and how to cope with it.

A Scottish survey

In Scotland, a national survey of public attitudes to mental health Well? What Do You Think? (2006) was published in September 2007 and highlighted that although people living in socially deprived areas have a higher incidence of mental health, the level of stigmatisation is still no lower than in other areas. This suggests that being confronted with mental illness is not enough to change the attitudes towards it.

There are also gender differences too. According to the Scottish survey, men with a mental health problem were more likely to be treated with suspicion than women and were also more inclined to avoid social contact with someone else with a mental health problem. Even out of those who displayed a positive attitude towards people with mental health problems, many said they would be reluctant to tell anyone if they had a mental health problem themselves which just goes to show that there is still fear surrounding other peoples' perceptions of mental health.

Mental Health Stigma - reviews and photos.

Stigma of Mental Illness East Villagers Non-Profit Community News

... : Mental Illness, Stigma, and Discrimination Anxiety Disorders Help

Mental Health Stigma - reviews and photos.

Source : http://imentalhealth.net/mental-health/mental-health-stigma

Related video about Mental Health Stigma

Mental Illness Stigma

Mental Illness Stigma A motivational video to inspire those who have been stigmatized by mental illness Music- Why By Rascal Flatts I DO NOT OWN COPYRIGHT Mental Health Stigma

Commonly question about Mental Health Stigma

Question :

How do you deal with mental health stigma?

I went to confide in my aunt a couple of weeks ago. She said don t trust your psychiatrist "don t let them label you a psycho. you ve seen what they re like on tv". I was stumped because I ve never caused harm to anyone. :(

Answer :
Ignore it, you know that your not crazy, your aunt knows too, don t worry about it :)

Question :

How can we remove the stigma of mental health?

Most people who have a diagnosis of a mental health brain disorder are not criminals unlike TV or the Movies show.
I feel that it is the last stigma.
You can be Gay, have AIDS/HIV now; even at one time having cancer was not discussed.. But dare admit that you on medication for depression or such.
I have lost friendships because of my disclosure of having depression.
The support and understanding of family and friends helps a lot. As we can not just snap out of it without help. It is a disease, a chemical imbalance and a life that has just to many bad events happen to them .
I hope with Owen Wilson s disclosure that it will help a little more to acceptance and understanding.

Answer :
Part of people s reaction to mental illness is the implicit narcissism of those with mental disorders. Many tend to focus on the problem and fail to get on with the business of living once treatment regime is underway.

It a person that is being treated for depression fails to change behavior and attitudes when it comes to relationship the stigma remains. Don t make a big deal of your "condition" around others, you may be treated differently. Sure it s chemical imbalance, it s your s not the other persons.. get it? Disclosure is stupid, narcissistic, for that matter so are those who tend to tout any of the "special" needs.
I ve been a recovering drunk for 21 years, I live my life by living in the solution and not the problem. Perhaps you should too..

Question :

Do you think the stigma around mental health problems will ever go away?

I have anorexia, bulimia, OCD, depression and psychosis. I saw that new advert to help people who haven t had or been around someone with a mental health problem that it is a real illness just like anything else an were not all weirdo s. Im not sure the stigma will ever go, what does everyone else think?

How amazing would it be if it did change.

Answer :
I think it will take a long time for the stigma to go away. There s a lot of fear involved - mental health issues can lead people to suddenly harm those around them, and few people have the understanding to tell the difference between mental health issues that make people dangerous to others and mental health issues that are only dangerous to the person suffering from them.