Stigma
Stigma can act as a barrier to the utilisation of available services by people with mental health problems. The World Health Organization has said:
“Treatments are available, but nearly two-thirds of people with a known mental disorder never seek help from a health professional. Stigma, discrimination and neglect prevent care and treatment from reaching people with mental disorders… Where there is neglect, there is little or no understanding. Where there is no understanding, there is neglect.”
Which of following statements is a myth ?
- People with mental health problems are violent and dangerous
- People with mental health problems are poor and less intelligent
- Mental health problems are caused by personal weakness
- Mental illness cannot be treated
ALL OF THEM ARE !
Stigma is not just the use of an incorrect word or action – stigma is about disrespect. It is the use of negative labels to identify a person living with mental illness.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), stigma is one of the most important problems encountered by people with severe psychiatric disorders. It lowers their self-esteem, contributes to disrupted family relationships and adversely affects their ability to socialise, obtain housing and become employed. Although mental health problems occur in almost every family at some point, people who experience them still meet fear and prejudice from others and are made to feel ashamed and excluded. The stigma and discrimination associated with having a mental illness are often so devastating that they prevent people from seeking help for fear of being labelled.
Stigma can be deeply hurtful and isolating. Learning to live with mental health problems is extremely difficult, particularly when someone experiences the prejudice caused by stigma. Stigma can be used to exclude and marginalize people. It is necessary to confront biased social attitudes in order to reduce the discrimination and stigma of people who are living with mental illness.
Effectively reducing stigma and discrimination requires concerted action by everyone – people with self-experience, relatives and friends, professional groups and civil society – with strong government back up.