While 21st century boasts of improvements in all aspects including health care, it is ironical that stigma against mental illness is still prevalent. A recent study conducted by Australian researchers confirmed that around 75 percent people suffering from the various mental disease like depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia experienced discrimination. That is, people are likely to hold traditional views and perceptions when it comes to dealing with such( people suffering from mental health disorders) persons.
More than 35 percent people surveyed agreed that the person who has experienced mental health problem is likely to exhibit more violence than 'normal' people. Research studies conclude that depression is neither the cause nor the effect of violence. This thought, thus, arises from the inaccurate information and does not carry any convincing ground.
Nonetheless, there is a silver lining in the cloud. The latest 2012 report that surveyed around 1700 people confirmed that the perception of women had improved more rapidly than their male counterparts since 1994. 'Integration' of these people in the mainstream society has also improved since 1994, and the numbers of people who know anyone with depression or anxiety has increased from 58 percent in 2009 to 63 percent in 2012. Around 83 percent of the population surveyed endorsed that no one possesses the right to get a mentally sick people evacuated from the neighborhood.
The overall statistics projects an optimistic picture for the future but the slow pace of improvement is a matter of concern. Researchers emphasize that the structural stigma is significantly responsible for this slow change in attitudes. There are various policies at the government and private level that obstruct the work opportunities of people with anxiety and depression. The bottom line is that the society is still not friendly to these people, and employment and personal relationships are the most affected aspects.
Researchers proffer two primary approaches that will prove effective in fixing the stigma. First, educational strategies that challenge the prevailing stereotypes by providing accurate and factual information. Second, contact approaches that involve an interpersonal contact with the people suffering from depression and anxiety. Educational approaches prove more efficient for adolescents. Their beliefs are not typically developed, as is the case with adults, and providing them with correct and convincing information leads to the desired changes in knowledge, attitude, and behavior. For adults, contact approaches are more effective than educational approaches. However, integrating these approaches is likely to bear the desired result in short span of time.
Apparently, stigma-reduction strategies require collaboration, and sustainable development in a multi-sectoral way. It is ironical that the most common source of discrimination stems from the family members, stated Lasalvia and colleagues in 2013. Other than that, anticipated discrimination is also common. Arising out of self-stigma, it is not based on accurate experience, but it stops people to participate in particular areas of life, leading to marginalization and social exclusion. Thus, it is imperative if patients, themselves, lead these strategies along with the help of their family, friends, and the community as a whole. On a broader level, it must be supported by system-level policies and reform that must emphasize on inclusive society as far as mental illness is concerned.
References
Beyondblue (2012) Beyondblue Information Paper: Stigma and Discrimination Associated with Depression and Anxiety, [Online], Available: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/docs/default-source/policy-submissions/stigma-and-discrimination-associated-with-depression-and-anxiety.pdf?sfvrsn=0 [28 July 2016].
Corrigan, P.W. and Markowitz, F.E. (2004) 'Structural Levels of Mental Illness Stigma and Discrimination', Schizophrenia Bulletin, pp. 481-91.
Corrigan, P.W., Morris, S.B., Michaels, P.J., Rafacz, J.D. and Rusch, N. (2012) 'Challenging the Public Stigma of Mental Illness: A Meta-analysis of Outcome Studies', Psychiatric Services, pp. 963-73.
Farrelly, S., Clement, S. and Gabbidon, J. (2014) 'Anticipated and Experienced Discrimination Amongst People With Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder: A Cross-sectional Study', BMC Psychiatry.
Hatzenbuehler, M.L. (2014) 'Introduction to the Special Issue on Structural Sigma and Health', Social Science and Medicine, pp. 1-6.
Lasalvia, A.e.a. (n.d) 'Global Pattern of Experienced and Anticipated Discrimination Reported by People with Major Depressive Disorder: A Cross-sectional Survey', The Lancet, pp. 466-70.
Sane Report (2013) A Life Without Stigma, [Online], Available: https://www.sane.org/images/PDFs/ALifeWithoutStigma_A_SANE_Report.pdf [28 July 2016].
Stuart, H. (2003) 'Violence and mental Illness: An Overview', World Psychiatry, pp. 121-24.
Wright, A. and Jorm, A.F. (2011) 'Labeling of Mental Disorders and Stigma in Young People', Social Science and Medicine, pp. 498-506.
