Stigma - A Problem with Attitudes?

It is clear that the stigma surrounding a mental illness can be as damaging as the illness itself.  According to recover.ie (a schizophrenia information website) stigma can have many negative effects including:

• lowering self-esteem
• disrupting family relationships
• affect a persons ability to socialise, obtain housing and become employed
• cause a person to feel ashamed and excluded
• can prevent a person from seeking the help they need
• can cause hurt and isolation

The site also states that, in order to reduce the discrimination and prejudice of those living with a mental illness, we need need to confront and challenge social attitudes and increasing knowledge.

In 2007, the HSE published a report on the findings of a study into the attitudes and awareness of mental illness in Ireland ( Mental Health in Ireland: Awareness and Attitudes).  The report highlighted the level of fear people had of being labelled if they ever developed a mental health problem, with a staggering 62% stating that they would not want anyone to know.

52% of those surveyed felt that those with a mental health problem should not be allowed to do important jobs such as doctors, nurses etc.  Less than half of all respondents believed that they should have children.  Contradicting this however, was that 81% believed that they should have the same rights as everyone else.

If you are interested in reading more about the stigma of having a mental health disorder there is an excellent book written by Graham Thornicroft titled 'Shunned, discrimination against people with mental illness' which is published by Oxford University Press.  The book details the experiences of discrimination encountered by people with mental health problems, and looks at what needs to be changed to remove the stigma.  Thornicroft suggests that a lack of knowledge (ignorance) is a core problem.  He suggests that the level of knowledge of mental health disorders is extremely low, even in the economically developed countries.  He also suggests that there is a lack of knowledge as to how to find help if needed.

The following extract from the book (pg. 187) highlights some of they common myths about mental illness:

• schizophrenia means split personality
• all 'schizophrenics' are violent and dangerous
• people with serious mental illness are completely disabled
• it's all the fault of the genes
• they can't work
• they are incapable for making their own decisions
• once people develop mental illnesses, they will never recover
• psychiatric disorders are not true medical illnesses like diabetes
• mental illnesses are brought on by a weakness of character

Finally today, I leave you with the following speech posted on the headsup.ie website (a mental health promotion website for young people) which was given by someone with bi-polar disorder for the See Change campaign:

http://www.headsup.ie/?p=541