How might stigma influence recovery for people with mental illness essay PDF

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Mennatallah Osman- 19354835

How might stigma influence recovery for people with mental illness? Stigma negatively affects the recovery of mental illness and has the potential to delay treatment and recovery. This is because individuals with mental illnesses are confronted by certain stereotypes and prejudice that are caused by misconceptions about mental illness. That being said, stigma refers to the segregation of an individual apart from others, while recovery of mental illness does not necessarily refer to a cure, but instead the ability to function freely and adequately in society. This can be achieved through building sound relationships, staying active through day-to-day activities such as work, as well as seeking support from others. However, due to stigmas which are profoundly evident throughout the media, within workplace environments, as well as the social prejudice regarding recovery and diagnosis, the road to recovery for individuals with mental illnesses is greatly diminished.

The media has proven to affect the recovery for people with mental illness both negatively and positively, to the benefit of their acquired high ratings. In fact, this stigmatisation is presented through social media, as well as entertainment through films and music. For example, individuals with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia in the film industry are portrayed to be homicidal maniacs who should be feared and isolated (Naveed Saleh 2020). This is further depicted through a 2012 article, “Portrayals of Schizophrenia by Entertainment Media: A Content Analysis of Contemporary Movies,” where it was analysed that there were forty-one movies which were released between the years of 1990 and 2010, which all included representations of schizophrenia. This portrayal influences misrepresentation regarding the real symptoms and treatment of mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, hence impacting the recovery negatively, as individuals suffering with schizophrenia may feel decreased motivation to recover, as they may feel unwanted in society. That being said, due to this it was analysed that 24% of individuals suffering from schizophrenia committed suicide (Naveed Saleh 2020). On the other hand, however, it is deemed that the media also has the potential to impact the recovery of mental illness positively. For example, celebrities such as Stephen Fry, who suffers from bipolar disorder, spoke publicly about his illness, which has proven to reduce stigma in the media (Addelman, 2018). This may impact the recovery of mental illness positively, as individuals suffering from mental illness may idolise or relate to celebrities with similar illnesses, and hence feel accepted and united, which will influence their recovery process. Thus, it is depicted that stigma demonstrated through the media has

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the potential to discourage recovery for individuals with mental illness, but also has the potential to encourage recovery amongst mental illness patients.

In addition, stigma plays a great role in workplace environments, which has negative impacts for the recovery of individuals suffering from mental illnesses. Stigma in the workplace has influenced individuals to suffer from discrimination when applying for jobs, including having to explain their gaps in the CVs due to episodes of mental illnesses (Nursing Times 2012). Also, they are also denied positions in the workplace, due to the stigma that individuals with mental illness suffer from reduced intelligence and the ability to make decisions (Angermeyer and Matschinger 2005). Having said that, individuals who suffer from mental illnesses also experience bullying and prejudice in the workplace, as they are seen by their colleagues as dangerous and unreliable for work purposes (Crisp et al, 2005). Due to this, individuals suffering from mental illness may feel the need to hide their illnesses, in order to fit in and be accepted in the workplace. In fact, this is supported, as although many felt they could disclose information regarding their mental illness to close friends and family, only 12% felt that they could tell their work colleagues (Bos et al, 2009). This is due to the created feelings of embarrassment, guilt, isolation and humiliation, which may influence hiding mental illnesses, and hence delaying the correct recovery required, as they are unable to build sound relationships and seek support, and instead fear of rejection and lose of employment. Thus, it is portrayed that stigma present in the workplace negatively impacts the recovery of mental illness, and instead influences the need to hide mental illness, in order to fit in and adapt adequately for employment.

Finally, recovery, in which is the active act of seeking an outcome through sacrifice and change, holds two meanings in the context of mental health: clinical recovery which is when an individual no longer displays signs of the mental health issue, and personal recovery is the retrieval of a better life despite the presence of the symptoms. Both instituting change ‘Recovery also brings hope, inspiration and empowerment to people who may almost have forgotten what those things feel like. That helps them to meet any challenge’ (Recovery n.d.). It is vital the education is used as a tool to challenge the stigmas revolving around mental health and illness, Same Australia (2019) states that ‘A study by the Mental Health Council of Australia (MHCA), found 85 per cent of Australians with a mental illness surveyed were worried other people would view them unfavourably because of their mental illness. The survey also found 83 per cent of those surveyed had seen offensive reports about 2

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mental illness in the media.’ Patrick W Corrigan and Amy C Watson (2002) highlight the extent of struggle from two angles, one being the suffering of the disease itself, as well as dealing with the negative stereotypes and the effort to challenge them. Such individuals feel deeply shamed and humiliated, eventually causing an increase in the probability of reluctance towards seeking proper help and receiving medical diagnosis. Stigma also contributes to the reduced faith towards a person’s own capability and increases self-doubt and social exclusions. Similarly, stigma enables perpetrators with an exploitation tool, especially in domestic environments. Hence, justifying the stigma of recovery, which negatively impacts individuals with mental illnesses.

In essence, it is depicted that stigma plays a significant function as a challenge in the recovery of individuals suffering from mental illnesses, as demonstrated in the media, employment and overall prejudice regarding recovery. Due to such stigmas, the probability of seeking support, or building relationships is reduced, as the need to feeling isolated and alone is increased, which further indicated the negative impacts that stigmas have towards the recovery of mental illness.

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Mennatallah Osman- 19354835

Reference List: - Mental Health Council of Australia. 2011, MCHA: ‘Consumer and Carer experiences of Stigma From Mental Health and Other Health Professionals’ https://www.mhaustralia.org/sites/default/files/imported/component/rsfiles/pub lications/Consumer_and_Carer_Experiences_of_Stigma_from_Mental_Health_and_Other_H ealth_Professionals.pdf (Accessed 14 April 2021) - National Center of Biotechnology Information. 2013, Johan Ormel, Bertus F Jeronimus, Roman Kotov, Harriëtte Riese, Elisabeth H Bos, Benjamin Hankin, Judith G M Rosmalen, Albertine J Oldehinkel: ‘Neuroticism and common mental disorders: meaning and utility of a complex relationship’ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23702592/ (Accessed 14 April 2021) - Nursing Times. 2012, Steve Ford: ‘How does stigma affect people with mental illness?’https://www.nursingtimes.net/roles/mental-health-nurses/how-does-stigma-affectpeople-with-mental-illness-06-07-2012/ (Accessed 14 April 2021) - Sage Journals. 2005, Matthias C. Angermeyer, Herbert Matschinger: ‘The Stigma of Mental Illness in Germany: A Trend Analysis’ https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0020764005057390?cookieSet=1 (Acces sed 14 April 2021) - The University of Manchester, Manchester 1824, 2018, Michael Addelman: ‘New study sheds light on Stephen Fry’s portrayal of manic depression’ https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/new-study-sheds-light-on-stephenfrys-portrayal-of-manic-depression/ (Accessed 14 April 2021) - US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. 2005, World Psychiatry, Arthur Crisp, Michael Gelder, Eileen Goddard, Howard Meltzer: ‘Stigmatization of people with mental illnesses: a follow-up study within the Changing Minds campaign of the Royal College ofPsychiatrists’ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1414750/(Accessed 14 April 2021) - Verywell Mind. 2020, Naveed Saleh: ‘How the Stigma of Mental Health Is Spread by Mass Media’ https://www.verywellmind.com/mental-health-stigmas-in-mass-media4153888 (Accessed 14 April 2021)

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