Social Justice and Mental Illness

Social Justice and Mental Illness

by Jimena Savarain

So, what can be done about it?

Why and How is Mental Illness part of a Social Justice Issue?

Stigma Reduction Research literature has identified three distinct methods of reducing stigma. These strategies are:

1. Protest/Advocacy (Spread awareness for this cause; fight against prejudice)

2. Education (Keep yourself informed and inform others! Understand the importance of using correct terminology and vocabulary when speaking or referring to these mental illnesses)

3. Contact (Approach others in need if possible, but most importantly, talk about this social issue. An effective way to fight the stigma is to get people talking, if mental illness is not kept hidden or made as something to be ashamed for, people will feel more comfortable seeking help, therefore saving more lives.)

Public education on mental illness is becoming more popular, in public places such as public transit to raise awareness (ads), and in school. If you're interested in the subject I highly encourage you to learn more about it through reliable sources online or in articles.

There is a common stigma that surrounds mental health. The stigma affects the mentally ill by limiting their rights as individuals of society. The lives of people with mental health conditions are often plagued by this stigma as well as discrimination. Stigma is a reality for many people with a mental illness, and they report that how others judge them is one of their greatest barriers to a complete and satisfying life.

Statistics

What have I done about it? - What can you do about it?

I have become more educated on this issue, raised awareness to break the stigma, and hopefully you will too!

What is a mental illness by definition?

According to Statistics Canada, 2012:

• 1 in 3 Canadians (about 9.1 million people), met the criteria for at least one of the six selected mental or substance use disorders at some point in their life.
• About 3.5 million Canadians, or 12.6%, met the criteria for a mood disorder during their lifetime.
• Major depressive episode (depression) accounted for the majority of cases of mood disorder; about 3.2 million people, or 11.3%, had symptoms consistent with depression.
• About 2.6% of the population had a profile consistent with bipolar disorder, which accounted for a minority of mood disorder cases.
• A total of 2.4 million Canadians reported symptoms consistent with generalized anxiety disorder during their lifetime.

Campaigns

Bring Change 2 Mind

Mental illness is any disease or condition that influences the way a person thinks, feels, behaves, and/or relates to others and to his or her surroundings. Although the symptoms of mental illness can range from mild to severe and are different depending on the type of mental illness, a person with an untreated mental illness often is unable to cope with life's daily routines and demands.

Although the exact cause of most mental illnesses is not known, it is becoming clear through research that many of these conditions are caused by a combination of genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors -- not personal weakness or a character defect -- and recovery from a mental illness is not simply a matter of will and self-discipline.

As already mentioned, a mental ilness can result from complex interactions between the mind, body and environment. Factors which can contribute to mental illness are:

• Long-term and acute stress

• Biological factors such as genetics, chemistry and hormones

• Use of alcohol, drugs and other substances

• Cognitive patterns such as constant negative thoughts and low self esteem

• Social factors such as isolation, financial problems, family breakdown or violence

These factors can be minimised by a strong and supportive community environment.

Mental illnesses exist in different types and degrees of severity. Some of the major types are:

• Anxiety
• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar Mood Disorder
• Personality Disorders
• Eating Disorders
• Depression

These illnesses may also be referred to as a mental disorder, mental impairment or psychiatric disability.

Bring Change 2 Mind is a a non-profit organization to end the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness. It uses widely distributed public education materials and programs based on the latest scientific insights and measured for effectiveness. Donations are accepted.

What is Stigma?

Partners for Mental Health

A national charity accredited by Imagine Canada’s Standards Program, Partners for Mental Health aims to improve mental health in Canada by mobilizing and engaging Canadians to drive fundamental changes that result in:

• Increased awareness and attention toward one’s own mental health
• Greater understanding, acceptance and support for people living with a mental health problem or illness
• Increased access to mental health services, treatment and support
• Better workplace policies
• More funding for programs and services

Stigma originally meant a physical mark of shame. Now, it’s an invisible mark that sets you apart from others. The problem with the word ‘stigma’ is that it puts the focus on the person’s difference instead of on the people who are setting them apart (the people who believe in this misjudgment and allow the stigma to continue). Furthermore, the term "stigma" is in fact, steeped in ambiguity (doubt or uncertainty of these conditions).

Stigma is comprised of three main components:

• Stereotypes

• Prejudice

• Discrimination

Prejudice is holding negative attitudes or beliefs about people who are viewed as different. Discrimination is acting on these ideas or beliefs.

The common stigma for mental illness is

People with mental illnesses…

• Are dangerous, irrational, and unpredictable.

• Are incompetent.

• Deserve blame for their conditions.

• Have little hope for recovery

Videos

Stronger than Stigma

Why is the stigma so powerful?

On a final note...

Mental Illness: What you see/What you don't see

Stigma is an issue of inequity and reducing it is a matter of social justice; an issue that can be changed in our society. Stigma makes an impact on the lives of those with mental illness that may be even more detrimental. It is estimated that Worldwide, up to 70% of people with diagnosable behavioral health conditions do not seek treatment. Stigma is not the only reason for this discouraging statistic, but it is a leading factor. Research indicates that both public stigma and self-stigma greatly interfere with help-seeking and treatment adherence.

Some effects caused by the stigma arround mental illness are:

• Label avoidance

• Fear of prejudice

• Diminished self-esteem

• Lowered self-efficacy

Controlled social laboratory studies have also demonstrated an inverse relationship between stigmatizing attitudes and seeking care. People who harbor prejudice towards individuals with mental illness are less likely to seek mental health services themselves if they have a diagnosable condition and are less likely to follow the treatment if they do receive care.

“The brain is a part of the physical body. The feelings that constitute something like depression play out in the body and are experienced physically. Thinking of mental health as something distinct from general physical health has led to feelings of embarrassment or shame when the designation of mental illness is applied. Similarly, we know that to write about mental illness as though it is one condition or disease is a vast oversimplification. Mental illness encompasses much diversity, from relatively minor forms of emotional distress to often debilitating disorders that substantially interfere with the ability to function over long periods of time. Using the term “mental illness” is simply a convenient communication device; it is not an adequate reflection of the diversity of conditions we might think of as coming under the umbrella of the term.”

“Why psychiatry and mental health services have not reached a point of greater maturity, confidence, and public support and why mental health care often seems to stand apart from the progress and purposefulness one finds in other major disease sectors. To a great extent, the answer must be sought in our public policy choices, both the approaches we have adopted and those we have rejected or ignored. Debates surrounding mental health care are vital and consequential, not just academic abstractions. Mental illness is real, and so is the suffering of people with mental illnesses and their families and friends. Most persons with a mental illness want what everyone wants—a sense of mattering to others and of being worthwhile, having close relationships, finding something productive to do to occupy one’s time and fulfilling one’s talents.”