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Stigma against Mental Illness: Discrimination, Stereotyping and Prejudice

Sara Hussain Ali Mistry*, Safura Hussain Ali Mistry **, Momina Munir Widhani ***

* Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Aga Khan Hospital and Medical College Foundation, Pakistan.

** The Aga Khan University, Pakistan.

*** Department of Community Health Sciences, The Aga Khan Hospital and Medical College Foundation, Pakistan.

Periodicity:May - July'2020
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jnur.10.2.16483

Abstract

Mental illnesses have become a common issue in today's society, but some members who belong to the same culture consider mental illness as a disgrace, and label them as “mad”. Stigmatization is not only by the society but also by their family. This can decrease the patient's confidence and make it difficult to get treatment for such illnesses as anxiety, schizophrenia, depression and bipolar illness. The aim of this paper is to discuss on stigmatization against mental illness, its impact on the individual, cultural beliefs, and strategies to overcome the issue. Stigma can be attached to many people with a particular circumstance but it usually associates people with mental illness. In Eastern cultures like Pakistani culture, people have complex faith systems. There are some strategies to overcome this issue at individual, community, and governmental levels. Mentally ill people should be considered equal in the society and they should get equal rights and treatment. The significance of the stigma on Mental health issues is increasing day by day and is considered contributing to around 12% of global illness. This article reflects the consequences of stigmatization and recommends some strategies to overcome this issue at the individual, community and governmental levels.

Keywords

Mental Illness, Stigmatization, Socio-Cultural Believe, Label.

How to Cite this Article?

Mistry, S. H. A., Mistry, S. H. A., and Widhani, M. M. (2020). Stigma against Mental Illness: Discrimination, Stereotyping and Prejudice. i-manager's Journal on Nursing, 10(2), 26-29. https://doi.org/10.26634/jnur.10.2.16483

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