Current perceptions
How mental illness is understood have major influences and implications for social responses. This means that
public beliefs and attitudes toward people with mental illness are heavily dependent on their understanding of
mental illness. These beliefs and attitudes are what fuels avoidance, fear and unequal treatment. Stigmatizing
beliefs and attitudes are often present, but usually not openly shown. We know that it is wrong to discriminate
and will often not admit to having prejudices. There are however indicators of stigma in everyday life, which
have typically become so embedded in our culture through attitudes, media and our language, that we often
may not be aware of them.
How mental illness is understood have major influences and implications for social responses. This means that
public beliefs and attitudes toward people with mental illness are heavily dependent on their understanding of
mental illness. These beliefs and attitudes are what fuels avoidance, fear and unequal treatment. Stigmatizing
beliefs and attitudes are often present, but usually not openly shown. We know that it is wrong to discriminate
and will often not admit to having prejudices. There are however indicators of stigma in everyday life, which
have typically become so embedded in our culture through attitudes, media and our language, that we often
may not be aware of them.
Beliefs and attitudes
Research has shown that general public perceives a strong link between mental illness and dangerousness,
which makes it one of the most common misperceptions. Several other beliefs about people with mental
illness associated with stigma include social disruptiveness, inability of being in touch with reality and inability
to recover. Another study has also indicated the "big three" dimensions of mental illness stigma.
which makes it one of the most common misperceptions. Several other beliefs about people with mental
illness associated with stigma include social disruptiveness, inability of being in touch with reality and inability
to recover. Another study has also indicated the "big three" dimensions of mental illness stigma.
Mass media is a powerful source that in our western world has the most significant influence on general public' beliefs. It is also a source that many people get their information about mental illness from, which unfortunately often tends to skew reality.
Our language and everyday use of certain phrases is also a powerful source that creates and maintains stigma. This language is learned already in early childhood.
Learn more about personal stories of people who have experienced mental illness.
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