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Post by Njoud Jweihan on Sept 29, 2016 21:47:42 GMT -4
The "stigma" accompanying mental illness is truly disheartening. Imposing a lack of character on people with mental illness distances these patients even farther from seeking treatment. Not only do they debilitate treatment they end up being the victims of law enforcement and false accusations. I personally live in downtown Atlanta and I see the same homeless group every time I drive to my apartment and I wonder how many of them would benefit from therapy or psychiatric treatment. When the majority of society passes by the homeless, they see the disheveled, clothes torn, and some are speaking or shouting out loudly when no one is around. I wake up almost every morning to the sound of a homeless woman shouting to passengers, I never really comprehended what she was saying, but it sounds as if she is trying to warn bystanders about some issue. Do any of these bystanders ever stop and think that this homeless woman is not just a homeless woman, maybe she suffers from a mental disorder and with some help could lead a normal life?. I go back to the lack of education that stagnates the ignorance that is planted in most people when it comes to mental illness. Whether it was people from the 1700s or some from 2016, seeing mental illness as a "flaw", is a flaw in itself and as the article mentioned, we still have a long way to go to understand the science behind mental diseases and how they should not be included in the same category of violence, crime, incarceration and homelessness. Only when people finally decide to enlighten themselves and open a book or two about psychiatric conditions and mental diseases would the discrimination stop. Only then will the police stop shooting the innocent as in Mr. Kinsey's case because they do not know how else to act, people will not be terrified to apply for a job due to mental illness, and primary care doctors will take issues such as depression as seriously as chronic hypertension and decide that a follow up should be granted (the risk of suicide from major depression should grant enough reason).
NJ(MS3)
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Post by Ahmad Jarrar on Sept 30, 2016 0:21:28 GMT -4
The article “ Let’s Call Mental Health Stigma What It Really Is: Discrimination” focuses on the fact that people with serious mental issues have a double challenge. On one hand they struggle with their symptoms and disability. On the other, they are struggling with stereotypes and misconception about mental illness. This double challenge negatively impact patient's quality of life and the ability to obtain good jobs, safe housing and satisfactory healthcare. The article also focuses on the term stigma and how its impact has twofold. It is important to target both public and personal stigma. It is important to change the general view of mental illness and great a better public stigma toward this disease. It is important that everyone view mental illness as any other medical condition such as Hypertension or diabetes. It is also essential to change the personal stigma toward mental illness. It is important to educate individuals with mental illness about their disease in order to improve their self esteem and self efficacy.
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Post by Cynthia Coronel MS3 on Sept 30, 2016 13:36:30 GMT -4
This article is bringing to light the importance of lowering the stigma of mental illness. It’s good that the article is using the analogy of physical illness and the importance of treating mental health just as importantly as a physical illness. It helps that celebrities and the media are bringing awareness to mental health. It is helping by removing the shame that is associated with mental illness. It’s also good that this article demonstrates the consequences of not have mental health issues not being adequately treated. Which can lead to losing the motivation to being productive, or the will to live that could eventually lead to suicide.
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Lawrence Takungo MS3
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Post by Lawrence Takungo MS3 on Sept 30, 2016 16:42:16 GMT -4
I agree with Holmes that there is a veil of shame surrounding mental health, and mostly from stereotype in which society has placed people with such illness. I will still emphasis that society needs to be educated more on mental health. Psychiatrists should be available in major institutions for evaluation of possible cases of mental illness. For example, our jails should have a doctors to evaluate people who are incarcerated to rule out mental illness. More mental health training and change of policies to those that create a more accepting environment for mentally challenged individuals will be a great improvement in alleviating the mental health stigma and/or discrimination. The alleviation of the Mental Health stigma and/or discrimination will encourage more people with mental illness to come forward for treatment.
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Post by Tolulope A on Sept 30, 2016 18:49:25 GMT -4
Article: let's call mental health stigma what it really is: Discrimination. When the word "Discrimination" comes up in today's political environment it tends to get people's attention. Racial discrimination, discrimination base on sex or any other form of discrimination gets people talking and checking themselves.
It then make utmost important not to sideline the prejudice and stereotypes associated with mental health or its victim as just stigma. "elevating" it to the status of discrimination is not overstating the matter, as a matter of fact it will definitely do alot in combating the societial negligent attitude of prejudice that has surrounded mental health and those suffering from it.
The last thing those who struggle with mental health challenges need is to be discriminated against by law makers who are in charge of policies and laws that dictate how the society should behave. They also do not need less favorable treatment from law enforcement, co-workers, medical practitioners and the society at large. They do not need to be treated less favorably than someone else in the same situation as them because of their mental health challenges.
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Shirin, Ganjali (MS3)
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Post by Shirin, Ganjali (MS3) on Oct 2, 2016 13:59:09 GMT -4
As I read about the inequitable treatment of people with mental illness, I can’t help but to make parallels with other illnesses with societal stigma. For example, those that suffer from HIV, obesity, leprosy, etc. Each one of these illnesses have their unique impact on society. Likewise, society has an impact on these illnesses as well. The article states that mental illness leads to an estimated loss of productivity of 193 billion dollars annually ( That’s the GDP of some small nations). Clearly, this discrimination is palpable. So how do we fix this problem? The article suggests some effective ways to start is by introducing policies that address some of the more quantifiable metrics that mental illness discrimination affects- policies targeted at the workplace, law enforcement practices, and even the medical field. However, policies cannot always ameliorate societal norms, practices and traditions- this takes time, patience, education, and everyday people.
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Aminah Phelps (MS3)
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Post by Aminah Phelps (MS3) on Oct 4, 2016 12:38:16 GMT -4
I really found this article really interesting. Because I recently had a patient who was dealing with the discrimination. He is 22 years old and has been debating if he would seek help because he said a lot of people say things and hurt his feelings because he wants to seek help. He said he felt most discriminated against his family me where. His parents come from a different generation where they work out any problem they are going thru on their own. So his parents do not understand why he can't do it on his own. I feel like as a society we need to be more understanding and supportive to those with mental illness. The last thing they is criticism. For the case of my patient, he really appreciated the encouragement. And he felt like someone understood what he was going thru. It meant a lot.
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Post by Paul Mtonga (MS3) on Oct 5, 2016 16:51:58 GMT -4
It's unfortunate to know that even doctors don’t take mental health as seriously as they should. In numerous countries across the globe, we know that people with mental health problems are amongst the least likely of any group with a long-term health condition or disability to: find work, live in decent housing or inherit property, have voting rights and be socially included in mainstream society. This is both stigma and discrimination and it doesn’t just worsen outcomes on a personal level, but also complicates the care and resources available to people with mental illness. I agree with the points raised in this article and as stated in the heading, “Society’s attitude toward psychological disorders needs to change.”
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Post by Lauren Levy on Oct 8, 2016 0:00:12 GMT -4
It's disheartening to read how society views individuals with a mental illness. Reading that one in five Americans have a mental illness, one would think that there should be even a bit more compassion than there is. Instead of enforcing this "stigma" on these individuals, we need to remember that they are people just like the rest of us; and with just a little bit more support, these people may achieve the same goals as the rest of us. A mentally ill individual should not be placed in jail, but instead should be educated and taught what is right to do.
LL (MS3)
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Rajidivya Viswanathan
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Post by Rajidivya Viswanathan on Oct 9, 2016 3:15:03 GMT -4
After reading this article, I was extremely disheartened to see that not much has changed in regards to societal fear of the unknown… or in this case, Mental Illness. What is it about us as a society that cannot learn to embrace others who suffer from illnesses beyond their control? The only way for people with mental illness to get better is to get the help they deserve, lest it be therapy or medication. Many people are scared and embarrassed to admit that they may even have an issue with their mental health, as it is seen as a sign of weakness. It is time that we, as a society and above all, as human kind, recognize that admitting and seeking help for mental health stability is not a sign of weakness, but more so a sign of being brave and working towards the betterment of oneself. A line from this article that really spoke to me was “people with a mental illness are more likely to encounter law enforcement that get medical help during a psychological crisis.” The go-to mechanism for our society is to shut these people out and contain them, so to speak. Well it’s high time that we push aside past judgments and seek to get to the heart of the issue during times of psychological crises, and get people the help they deserve.
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Rachel Austin (MS3)
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Post by Rachel Austin (MS3) on Oct 11, 2016 0:12:56 GMT -4
It is disheartening to know that discrimination against persons with mental health issues has been going on for the past 400 years and yet this is still a pertinent issue. The social stigma which comes along with mental health issues can make their difficulties worse and make it harder for recovery. Not only are persons experiencing stigma and discrimination from society, employment and police but they are also experiencing this from family members and friends.
On one hand, they struggle with the symptoms and disabilities that result from the disease. On the other, they are challenged by the stereotypes and prejudice that result from misconceptions about mental illness. As a result of both, people with mental illness are robbed of the opportunities that define a quality life such as good jobs, safe housing, satisfactory health care, and affiliation with a diverse group of people.
Research shows that firsthand contact with people who have experience of mental health problems is the best way to challenge these stereotypes as well as meeting persons with mental illness who are able to hold down jobs and have good social lives. Interpersonal contact is further enhanced when the general public is able to regularly interact with people with mental illness as peers. A number of national and local campaigns and charities are trying to change public attitudes to mental illness. It is also great to see that celebrities, who people idolizes and have role models, are speaking out about these issues.
RA (MS3)
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Post by Williams Azubike on Oct 20, 2016 19:47:27 GMT -4
This article seeks to further the conversation about mental health disorder and thereby, cause a behavioral change towards people suffering from mental health disorders. To add to behavioral change, I believe preventive measure need to be encouraged. If people ‘see something and say something’, some if not most severe manifestations of mental health can be nipped in the bud in the early stages.
I grew up in Nigeria, my neighbor had cerebral malaria that progressed to a serious case of mental health disorder. He was a very bright and fun loving young man and would have remained so if only we had picked up on the early stages of his symptom manifestations and sought help for him. My medical journey has opened my eyes; I feel bad every time I think about my neighbor because I discriminated against him because of his condition.
WA (MS3)
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Onyenaturuchi Ijioma Ms3
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Post by Onyenaturuchi Ijioma Ms3 on Oct 27, 2016 13:21:26 GMT -4
It is very true that poor mental health is a stigma in our society today. In our present times, a person is judge to some extent by his level of intelligence. Therefore, a person who is refered to, by a recognized body as being defficient mentally can view himself or herself as a stigma and can face discrimination. These people may not been given the same level of patience to be understood like every other person who is unclassified mentally, which can lead a person who have already been mentally classified, away from the normal people. This may not be intentional, but the overal picture can be viewed as discriminatory, and can make such patient feel that way.
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