Mental illness is in fact a disease, just as cancer and autism are diseases. The issues that arise with those suffering from mental illness, as compared to those diagnosed with cancer, are related to the stigmatization of mental illness. Public stigma is the negative attitude of the community or public surrounding those diagnosed with mental illness. I believe the prevalence of this type of stigma is due to a lack of understanding and knowledge. Unfortunately, those suffering from mental illness tend to be characterized as “dangerous” and “unstable” in the public eye. Between movies and the news, media portrayal certainly contributes to this viewpoint. However, further education of this disease would likely create a better and more understanding perception of mental diseases. Self-stigma, on the other hand, occurs when an individual shares these same public, negative attitudes of his or her illness. This thought process likely stems from the way a person with a mental disorder is treated and viewed by the public. Over time, it becomes easy to adopt the beliefs of those around you, whether right or wrong. Self stigma is detrimental to someone diagnosed with a mental disorder because these negative feelings of oneself will likely exacerbate the disease and make recovery that much more difficult.
An individual’s culture plays a major role in that person’s response to mental illness. Culture can be defined as a group of individuals who share some common belief and can range from characteristics of age and gender to ethnicity and religion. We all have at least one cultural identity from which we adopt our beliefs and ways of thinking that are considered to be “normal”. Any deviation from our cultural beliefs is often seen in a negative light and we therefore strive to stay within our boundaries of comfort. In a culture system where mental illness is looked down upon or not accepted, it would be difficult for an individual who is experiencing symptoms of mental illness to acknowledge the disease and seek help. Denying any symptoms of mental illness can be harmful for those experiencing them because this disease, just as any other, requires treatment. Additionally, one in this situation would likely see him or herself in a falsely negative light creating a sense of discontent with oneself. Being able to recognize these deficits and work past these stigmas is important in working towards more accepting mindsets throughout cultural practices.
