Mental+Illness+is+nothing+to+be+ashamed+of,+but+stigma+shames+us+all!

**n8302391** **Tutor: Katie Page**
 * Brooke Jones**

**Cultural Artefact - [|Removing the stigma of mental illness]**

This youtube video is a poignant depiction of the stigma associated with mental illness. It describes mental illness, stigma and the acceptance and empathy other medical or physical disorders may receive where as mental illnesses do not. Through these associations this youtube clip encourages a change of mind and heart for those stigmatising mental illnesses. It emphasises on the famous artists, actors, musicians throughout time suffering from mental illnesses that have had a significant impact on today’s society that have neither been violent or dangerous. It raises feelings of guilt, whilst questioning who has not been a perpetrator of stigmatising others more than some.

**Public Issue**

Mental illness can affect anyone no matter what their age, gender, ethnicity or social class. As a study conducted by the Australia Bureau of Statistics in 2007, one if five Australians between the ages of 16 and 85 suffered a mental illness in the past twelve months. In 2003, mental illnesses were among the ten leading causes of disease burden in Australia, accounting for 13% of the total burden of disease (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2005). However, today the Burden of Industry in Australia study indicated that mental disorders constitute the leading cause of disability burden in Australia, accounting for an estimated 24% of the total years lost due to disability. There is no denying the facts; mental illness is a serious health problem, one that continues to be addressed in today’s society. It is important to acknowledge the major concerns for those not receiving medical care, therefore this article will focus on health care access and the stigma surrounding mental illness (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2011).

**Literature Review** Since the late 1990’s, Australia has seen significant changes in mental health care delivery. This is due to the recognition of the increasing prevalence of mental health disorders particularly in young Australians. (Pirkis, 2009) For example one in four young Australians reported having a mental illness in 2004 and furthermore twenty-three percent of these people sought no treatment.In addition people who were receiving treatment were more likely to seek care from a general practitioner as apposed to psychologists. (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2007). Although GP’s are readily available for these people to seek treatment, results are inconclusive as to their effectiveness compared to psychologists (Pirkis, 2009). In addition, barriers such as lack of training and lack of time have been apparent, which in turn could be a result of the low rate of people seeking assistance. (Hannigan,1999). By comparison psychologists are well trained to provide treatment for the more prevalent disorders such as anxiety and depression, but their services have sometimes been inaccessible due to cost. (Pirkis, 2006)

In an attempt to address some of these issues, as of July 2001, The Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care (BOiMHC), was introduced to improve access to mental health care through psychologists, social works, mental health nurses, GP’s, occupational therapists and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers working together to provide optimal mental health care (Pirkis, 2006). This program further introduced a secondary program in 2006, which improved access to care by the Medical Benefits Schedule program (Pirkis, 2009)

Despite actions for advancing access to medical care, prevalence of mental disorders has remained relatively constant. The 1997 survey reported the prevalence of mental illness to be eighteen percent of Australians, compared to the 2007 report indicating a prevalence of twenty percent. (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2007). So why do so many mental illness patients still not access the care they need? Social stigma (Corrigan, 2004).

Social stigma has been identified and recognized as a major concern in health care and human services across societies worldwide. Social stigma has a significant impact on the quality of life of those suffering from a severe mental illness as a result of their psychiatric condition. The more individuals with mental illness feel stigmatized, the lower their self-esteem, (Corrigan, 2004) life satisfaction and social adjustment (Crandall, 2007). Moreover, stigma may prevent some from seeking professional help and render others less likely to seek treatment, ultimately compromising their health (Hannigan, 1999). Given these effects it is essential to eliminate stigma to improve the quality of life of mental patients. Therefore, it is necessary to identify potential strategies for reducing barriers that interfere with their acceptance into the community. Such potential strategies have been identified as education about severe mental illness and reducing the gap between the association of mental illness patients and the community (Penn, 1998).

Given that it is clear that people with mental illness experience social rejection, why do mental illness patients receive more social stigma and disapprovement than those with physical conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, blindness, or paraplegia (Crandall, 2007) For example, citizens are less likely to hire persons who are //labeled// mentally ill and less likely to lease them apartments as apposed to those not suffering from a mental illness (Medina, 2008). It has also been suggested that stigma extends to those family and friends of persons with servere illnesses, creating what Goffman (1963) called a “courtesy stigma.” (Punn, 2007).

Research has shown that persons with severe mental illness are generally considered by the public to be dangerous and irresponsible, therefore in order to reduce stigma misconceptions about mental illness must be addressed (Crandall, 2007.) The World Health Organization. (2001) suggest organizing anti-stigma activities and campaigns through partnerships with non-government organizations. These campaigns attempted to use the Internet and media to overcome stigma and monitor acts of discrimination at both the local and the global level (Punn, 2007).

Movies are another particular method which has been used in confronting and correcting assumptions about the capabilities and limitations of persons with various mental disorders (Penn, 2007). Although not all studies regarding stigma reducing interventions have been deemed successful, not all have been a failure. Thornton and Wahl (1996) investigated whether deliberating facts on mental illness patients and the stigma associated with these illnesses would effect the opinion of a group of undergraduate students. The results showed that students were more accepting of persons with mental illnesses and reported less-fear after reading the fact sheet prior to the stigmatizing article (Punn, 2007). Therefore, it can be concluded the correlation between stigma and misconceptions about mental illnesses.

Symptoms of mental illness can be significantally reduced in persons by various treatments. Unfortunately as a result of stigma many people suffering with such illnesses choose not to engage in treatments (Corrigan, 2004). This low rate is not only evident in minor mental illnesses, but less than two thirds of persons with schizophrenia take part in treatment (Punn, 2007). Unlike other stigmatized groups, like those of colour, persons with mental illness do not always share a readily visible condition (Medina, 2008). Therefore the greatest single cue that produces public stigma is the label which usually stems from participating in psychiatric services. Mental illness patients may opt not to access care as a way to avoid this label. For example, a study completed on about three thousand community residents showed results suggesting negative attitudes towards mental illness inhibit seeking medical health care (Penn, 2007).

**Cultural and Social Analysis** Although mental illness can affect anyone and everyone, young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 years have the highest prevalence of mental disorders. In 2007 one in four young adults had a mental illness, thus mental health workers should be focusing on younger individuals for lowering mental illness prevalence (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2007.)

Married persons reported lower rates of mental or behavioural problems, which could be a result of having someone to share the burdens and stresses of life with (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2007). Thus, the range of support for mental health suffers should be increased to deal with this prevalence. The high demand for psychiatrists has increased over the last few years making it difficult for patients to seek mental health care. Alternative options need to be available to patients. For example, the Australian physiological society is currently educating psychologists about the range of medications used in the treatment and management of mood disorders. The APS aims to help psychologists identify differing medications’ mode of action, side-effect profiles and possible drug-drug interactions (Australian Psychological Society, 2011). With this knowledge psychologists potentially could provide the same services to that of a psychiatrist making mental health care more accessible to patients.

The prevalence of mental health conditions in rural and remote Australia has been estimated as equivalent to levels in major cities. However, rural Australians face greater challenges as a result of such conditions, due both to the difficulty of accessing the support needed for mental illness and to the greater visibility attached to mental health in a smaller community (National Rural Health Alliance). The problems of mental health care in Australia are only accentuated in rural areas, which are likely to have fewer health professionals, a much smaller choice of health service providers and scarce community support services. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that rates of suicide in regional and remote areas are 1.2 to 2.4 times higher than those in major cities (National Rural Health Alliance). These conditions in mind it is recommended rural areas have access to the same facilities as the rest of the country.

When defining stigma Goffman’s (1963) refers to it as “an attribute which is deeply discrediting to the stigmatized person and is the bearer of a mark that defines him or her as deviant, flawed, limited, spoiled, or generally undesirable" (Crandall, 2007). This example of deviant refers to un-normal behaviour one may engage. This less than normal behaviour often leads to social rejection, but clearly we do not treat all deviances equal. Crandall and Moriarty (1995) provide some examples: "Shortness can cause social disruption, but left-handedness rarely does; skin colour can strongly affect social relationships, but hair colour may have a more modest impact” (Crandall, 2007.) So what makes mentally ill people more vulnerable to stigma than other people with deviancies? Perhaps it is the fact society is not as educated about mental illness and not as accustomed to those people suffering mental illnesses. Further awareness and education programs would be beneficial to raising awareness for this health issue.

To explain the high prevalence of people not seeking medical care in today’s society Charles Cooley's //Human Nature and the Social Order// can be applied. This theory examines the personal perception of oneself. Cooley develops the theoretical concept of the looking glass self, a type of imaginary sociability (Cooley 1902). People imagine the view of themselves through the eyes of others in their social circles and form judgements of themselves based on these imaginary observations (Cooley 1902). The main idea of the looking glass self is that people define themselves according to society's perception of them. So if society perceives one based on the stereotypical view of mental illness such as dangerous or violent, there is no wonder so many mental illness patients stray away from acknowledging their illness and foregoing treatment.

**Analysis and Reflection** This youtube clip is a clear illustration of the stigma associated with mental illness. It creates the relationship between the viewer and mental illness patients on an emotional level. By associating other illnesses with mental illnesses it really creates the idea we have all stigmatized in the past. It has affected me to think of things differently, and to be involved in changing the way society views mental illness. I think anyone that watched this clip would have a more positive outlook on mental illness. Although we cannot begin to imagine the struggles of people suffering mental illnesses, I think on some level we can all understand what it is like to be discriminated against or stereotyped in society. Showing acceptance and empathy towards mental illnesses will make one less struggle in the life of those suffering these illnesses.

Prior to this assessment I had no idea the high prevalence of mental disorders but I am glad I am now fully aware of the situation. If this assessment has taught me anything it would be to create a more active role in raising awareness for mental illness and the stigma associated.


 * Responses to Wiki's**
 * [|http://healthculturesociety.wikispaces.com/message/view/Young+Men%2C+Mental+Health%2C+Suicide/45693958#45694176] (please note use the 12.18 pm response)**
 * [|Response to wiki]**


 * Bibliography**

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Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, (2011) //Mental Health//. Retrieved from []

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