Zerrin Kurdak

Ms. Bradley
ENC 2135

The Stigma behind Mental Illness

Mental illness is a common health issue that affects hundreds of thousands of people
around the world. The psychology community works to educate the public on mental health and
provide services and support for those who need it. Psychologists and psychiatrists see patients
and help them figure out the best course of treatment. The prevalent issue in the psychology
community is the stigma behind mental illness. Ruby Wax spoke in a TED Talk to share her
personal struggle of how being diagnosed with a mental illness altered her life. Wax has publicly
been very open about her illness, hoping her story will help others who are experiencing similar
battles. As Wax said, Mental health problems are so common, it could be anyone. The trouble is
no one wants to talk about it (Films). The implications of mental illness have various aspects.
People with mental illnesses have been treated poorly throughout history by being
neglected, abandoned and shunned. Deviant behavior was blamed on demon possession and evil
spirits (Hinshaw, The Stigmatization 5). People were tortured and put to death if they were
thought to be linked to unholy spirits. The general public did not know a lot of accurate
information on mental illnesses, so they assumed the worst. Mental illness wasnt a popular topic
to talk about back in the day. People feared what they didnt know, and the concept of mental
health being impaired was hard to grasp. Those with illnesses were excluded from normal
societal activities and were avoided like the plague. This made the standard of living harder for
those with mental health issues.

Even though people have struggled with mental illnesses throughout history, the public
still views those with mental health issues with fear, pity and judgement (Hinshaw, The Mark
3). Those who suffer from a mental illness are judged, discriminated against, and are labelled as
weak or violent. Due to the discrimination many people with an illness withdraw from all but
close friends and family members, destroying their self-esteem and causing social interactions to
be uncomfortable. Stereotypes of the mentally ill have grown stronger over the years, as has the
distance between those with mental illnesses and those without (Thoits 4). The general public
seems to be more sympathetic towards those with physical health issues than those with
psychological issues (Films). The stigma, while cruel, can be explained by a couple of factors.
The discrimination is driven by American culture and society, drawing from the inability to grasp
situations the public doesnt understand. Christina Funk gave her opinion on the matter. People
tend to judge situations they dont understand, and they dont take the initiative to learn more
about them (Funk). Most people dont put in the extra effort it takes to uncover the truth behind
mental illness. Issues with mental health are not talked about in a manner of understanding and
sympathy. However, there are more people that struggle with mental illnesses than one would
think. Christina Funk said, There are even more people that havent been diagnosed because
theyre too ashamed of how they feel to seek help (Funk).
If people perceive those with the illness to be a threat, they might try to avoid them in
order to feel safe and secure. However, this is a form of rejection that can lead to increased levels
of fear and ignorance (Hinshaw, The Mark 7). The discrimination that results from the stigma
can be damaging. Some people with mental illnesses internalize the stigma, which can have
harmful results and affect the way they behave as a result. The overall effects of the stigma can
be detrimental to ones health. Discrimination can cause a relapse in ones progress of recovery,

especially since societys first instinct is to distance those who are different from others. This
intentional exclusion can lead to disparities in housing, education, employment, health care and
income (Chan 7). Those with mental illnesses are not given the same opportunities as those
without an illness. For instance, it is incredibly challenging for one with a serious mental illness
to find a well-paying job. People with mental illnesses have been stereotyped to be insane or
mad, which can serve to provide justification for limiting people with these health problems. It is
impossible and cruel to think that society can put the mentally ill in a box and keep them hidden
from the rest of the world. Yet this is how many people have viewed those affected over the
years. It is difficult to have society accept those with mental illnesses as normal human beings
that are no different from the rest of the world.
One stereotype of the mentally ill is known as benevolence, assuming those with mental
illnesses are like children who need an adult figure to make decisions for them. Someone takes
on an authoritative role over the person with the mental illness because they assume the person is
incapable of being independent. This stereotype believes those with mental health issues are
helpless and in need of caregivers. This could lead to them being seen as a drain on social
resources, which can cause an increase in the stigmatization. A second stereotype assumes those
with mental illnesses are violent and unpredictable. Some people fear them as a result, making
the stigma stronger as they try to avoid the mentally ill at all costs (Thoits 3). Another stereotype
is blame. This is when those with mental health issues feel responsible for their illness, leading to
them believing they are inferior or weak. Stephen Hinshaw says, The truth is that only a small
subgroup of people with mental illnesses are likely to be violent but the risk of being
victimized by violent crime is far greater in people with serious mental disorders than in the
general population (The Mark 4). People with mental illnesses have a lot more to fear than

someone who fears the mentally ill does. They are constantly being watched but not spoken to,
making them feel like a criminal. The media bolsters the stigma surrounding mental illness by
presenting narrow minded stories (Byrne 6). They take the information they want to use to draw
attention, leaving out critical details that could change someones perspective. Christina funk
said, They [the media] often take only one line out of a bunch of research that doesnt make
sense without the background knowledge. This causes people to get the wrong idea (Funk). This
technique is unfair and unjust. The media sneaks around the truth, not caring if they sway how
people feel about the issue.
In order to remain safe from judgement, service centers have to be anonymous. People
feel unsafe seeking treatment for potential mental illnesses because they fear being stereotyped,
judged or discriminated against. For instance, if one discovers their friend has an appointment
with a therapist they tend to be curious as to why. The person might assume there is something
wrong with their friend, questioning their sanity. Judging situations that one does not know
anything about is a really common hole that many find themselves in. There are also many
anonymous crisis hotlines available for those who need support immediately (Byrne 4). They
vary from dealing with abuse to helping those who are experiencing suicidal thoughts. Chat
rooms online were created for people who choose not to meet with someone in person. This
allows people to feel safe behind a computer screen while getting support from a trained
specialist. However, these resources can only go so far to help someone in need. Treatment needs
to be constant and personal in order to work at its full potential. It is discouraging that those who
struggle with mental illnesses feel the need to hide their secret from those around them. Hiding
the symptoms of the illness could prevent them from progressing in their journey of recovery.

Some people avoid seeking professional help in order to avoid being labelled. One half to two
thirds of individuals who would benefit from psychiatric services choose not to look into getting
treated (Understanding and Influencing 5). They are too afraid of what a diagnosis would
imply, potentially marking them with a label. As Christina Funk said, People see them [those
diagnosed] as their mental illness almost as if theyre defined by it. They start to lose sight of
the fact that theyre people too. For instance, someone who has depression isnt labelled as
always being depressed. Theyre experiencing depression. Its a health issue, not their identity
(Funk). People fear seeking professional help because labels have negative connotations
associated with them.
While diagnosing a mental illness is necessary for treatment, the resulting stigmatization
can have damaging effects on development in children. Stephen Hinshaw said, Labeling and
diagnosing children incurs risk for castigation, particularly from agemates; but in some cases,
empowerment and access to services may be promoted through appropriate diagnosis (Hinshaw,
The Stigmatization 5). Discrimination takes a toll on self-esteem since the child cannot control
how people view them. The child may learn to keep to themselves more often than not,
withdrawing from normal social interactions with other children. However, the diagnosis is
needed in order to keep the child healthy and secure. Treatment to improve the condition of the
illness cannot begin until a diagnosis is given. The situation is an unfortunate result of the stigma
associated with mental illness.
The public often places blame on the family for their relatives illness. The family might
feel shame, which can lead to them withdrawing from neighbors and acquaintances. Parents of
those diagnosed are frequently blamed for somehow initiating the start of the mental illness and
are accused of not doing enough to avoid the health issue (Byrne 5). Studies show that parents of

children with mental illnesses are reluctant to enroll their kids in activities outside of the
household because theyre afraid they will be stigmatized (Chan 2).
The family takes on the burden of being stigmatized along with the member who has the
mental illness. They go through the journey with their loved one, trying to look out for them
while also trying to take care of themselves (Funk). Studies have found that while both mental
and physical illnesses take a toll on the family, mental illness has been proven to have more of a
stigma attached to it. Families reported feeling less supported if they had a loved one that was
diagnosed with a mental illness, and they said it was challenging to maintain normal
relationships with friends and neighbors after the diagnosis (Hinshaw, The Stigmatization 5). If
a person with a mental illness shows signs of growth in recovery, having a social circle that
supports them only helps them rise to be successful in their progress of recovery. Shaming family
members of those affected can cause a relapse in ones mental illness. Family members are often
stigmatized by association, discouraging them when they need strength the most (Hinshaw, The
Stigmatization 2). On the flip side, many families are supported because people are aware that
others can be exclusive and judgmental. The situation is tough and often takes a major toll on
family members, as well as the one with the mental illness.
More people are starting to speak up about mental illness as time evolves. Celebrities and
authors have shared their testimonies of how they suffered with mood disorders, substance abuse,
etc. In 1999, President Bill Clinton and Tipper Gore sponsored the first conference on the
importance of mental health (Hinshaw, The Mark 2). This was a huge public step towards
creating awareness for the issue. Many organizations have worked to make eliminating the
stigma an issue the public cares about. The first week of October is Mental Illness Awareness

Week, helping people take a moment to stop and think about the topic. During this time, local
psychology communities aim to educate people in the area on various aspects of mental health.
As Peter Byrne said, Stigma is hopelessness, resulting in helplessness (4). The
discrimination and stereotypes that accompany mental illness put a huge burden on those with
mental health issues, as well as those supporting the diagnosed. The stigma draws from the
publics inability and unwillingness to understand the concept of mental illness. The psychology
community has faithfully worked to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness by
providing resources to accommodate many people. Various organizations sponsor public
education campaigns to raise awareness for different aspects of mental health. The world is
progressively adopting a new, more forgiving understanding of mental illness.