What is stigma?
Stigma is a phenomenon that sets a person or group of people apart from others. It refers to numerous sets of devaluating beliefs and attitudes that people hold against the stigmatized person or group and causes fear, avoidance and rejection. This devaluation is based on some characteristics or traits that are disfavored and disgraced by the general society. Stigma is related to the concepts of stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination and incorporates all of these concepts, but is not simply the sum of its parts. It is even more powerful and constitutes a “mark” of shame and deep degradation that casts a long shadow over the individual and his or her identity. For as many as nine out of ten people suffering from mental illness, stigma is a reality and one of the greatest barriers to complete and satisfying life. |
Often we tend to set mental illness and people affected by it apart from us. As a society we are more uncomfortable about mental illness, due to inaccuracies and prejudices we hold. In fact, no one is immune to mental health issues and as many as one in five or even more will experience it at some point in their life. This means that we all have a big chance to personally get affected, or experience it through people close to us. Imagine if you got cancer and instead of being reached out to, people would turn their backs. Even once you recover, life does not go on as usual, you will now be denied adequate employment, housing and health insurance because you once had cancer. This may sound like absolute nonsense, but reflects actually how it is for nine out of ten people diagnosed with a mental illness as a result of stigma. People with mental illness are challenged doubly, they have to struggle with symptoms of mental illness and with prejudice and discrimination associated with it. Despite the fact that treatment outcome for mental illness has more than 70% success rate, people are likely to avoid seeking help because of shame and fear of what others may think. |
*See references: Cleary, M., Deacon, M., Jackson, D., Andrew, S., & Wai-Chi Chan, S. (2012), Hinshaw, S.P. (2007), Rüsch, N., Angermeyer. M.C., & Corrigan, P., W. (2005), Corrigan, P., W., &Watson, A., C. (2002), Mental Health.gov