Stigma in mental health

There is certainly a stigma in our society that is associated with mental illness.  This can result in a lack of funding for services, public education, and difficulty in finding jobs or obtaining insurance.  The stigma is because these people are seen to behave in a different manner than what is expected of normal behavior; as such it is associated with madness.  The tabloid papers fuel this by use of words like nutters, psycho, bonkers, etc.  This imposes a degree of ridicule as opposed to recognition of mental illness that requires hospital treatment.  This often leads the mentally ill person to feel socially excluded and isolated.  In essence an outcast of society.

People often see the mentally ill is shameful, weak characters and feel that the illness may impact the development of other family members.  They don’t see the benefits of care, compassion and understanding, that are equally important elements of self growth.  Without such support stigma can turn inward on the patient and reduce their sense of self-worth and well-being as such make them deteriorate more rapidly.

Stigma in other cultures

In the USA and Europe sound mental faculties are an important part of survival and the basis for contribution to the family, work and society.  Many mental people find themselves outside of the health care system and end up as poor people living on the streets.  We see these people as vagrants, worthless people who do not contribute to society and as such, we reject them.  Other cultures like that of the poorer nations have a different view and try to look after them as part of the family unit.  The onset of HIV –AIDS has created a huge problem of mental illness in places like Africa.  They are trying to help one another here with limited medical funding and support.

Mental and Physical illness connection

Mental and physical health are connected, they are linked to one another.  Those who maintain physical fitness and have better spatial memory in the brain.  Rest is also an important part in avoiding mental fatigue.  The strong evidence to support that child abuse can cause brain alterations and resulted future mental illness.  People with uncontrolled anger or rage are considered to be tenfold the risk for heart related illness.  Keeping physically fit helps your body to do with negative emotions and reinforce the positive side about life balance.  This means getting quality sleep and monitoring dysfunctional behavioral patterns.