Description
“Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increase the burden: It is easier to say ‘My tooth is aching’ than to say ‘My heart is broken.’” – C.S. Lewis
People’s attitudes and beliefs toward mental illness are not always accurate or positive. A person’s attitude towards mental illness influences how they interact and show sympathy or support towards people with mental disorders.
People’s attitudes and beliefs can also influence how the individual suffering from a disorder feels about themselves and perceives personal problems and psychological distress, such as one’s comfort level to confide in other people about their symptoms or difficulties.
Many people have a physical illness, such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes; however, people tend to believe that physical illness is something out of the individual’s control, which releases the individual from the blame for their own illness. Positive beliefs about mental illness are likely to result in more supportive and inclusive behaviors, such as hiring a person with a physical illness. Positive attitudes allow individuals with a physical illness a level of acceptance and freedom to reach out for help because they do not feel ashamed for their illness compared to illnesses that are viewed by society as a personal weakness.
There are misconceptions surrounding mental illnesses, which have multiple consequences for an individual suffering from a mental disorder and society. People may think that they know what mental illness is but do not fully understand its level of impairment and debilitating effects on everyday living. People may believe that there is no hope or successful treatment available for those with a mental illness. Misconceptions surrounding mental illness are that people bring on their own problems, are weak, lack self-discipline, have “gone mad,” or that mental illness is not a real disease.
Misconceptions about mental illnesses fuel social stigmas (how people are labeled). If the greater society labels people with mental illness as being weak or at fault for their own illness, it can result in them being treated unfairly, shunned, or even oppressed by the society in which they live. People in society can exclude those with mental illness from social activities, avoid them, or overlook them for a job position, thus limiting their career opportunities and opportunities for social relationships. Because people with a mental illness can be fearful of being made to feel ashamed or excluded from society, it can influence whether the individual reaches out for help or continues with treatment or therapy.
Although many in America have begun to believe that mental illnesses can be treated and that people with a disorder can learn to live a normal life, this belief has not necessarily transpired into positive attitudes towards mental illness. This can affect an individual’s sense of self and their willingness to seek out support and treatment.
Read the following required sources in addition to this week’s assigned reading:
Heath, S. (2018, October 5). Understanding stigma as a mental healthcare barrier. PatientEngagementHIT. https://patientengagementhit.com/news/understandin…
American Psychiatric Association. (n.d.). Stigma, prejudice and discrimination against people with mental illness. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigm…
Interview three people by asking them the following questions. Summarize their answers.
What is mental illness?
Can people with mental illness be helped?
Are people with mental illness dangerous to society?
Can people with mental illness “snap out” of it?
Last, referring to the assigned reading, explain whether you believe that the interviewees’ attitudes represent what the greater society believes about mental illness.
A thorough answer will be 250–350 words in length.
