Despite the spread of awareness about them, the problem of stigmatized attitudes to mental diseases is still found in many areas of human life. In the article “Assessing Mental Illness Stigma,” authors study MI as a cross-diagnostic and a cross-cultural phenomenon (Mannarini & Rossi, 2019). During the study of several countries, the following results were obtained, regardless of differences in the cultures of the countries. Moreover, the paper noted a significant influence of cultural characteristics on the perception of specific variables in relation to individuals with MI (Mannarini & Rossi, 2019). Furthermore, the reasons for stigmatization of MI were noted as biological and psychological and were noted as the most critical factors.
In addition to the reasons for the appearance of stigmatization in relation to mental diseases, the article talks about ways to overcome it. Etiological beliefs are also considered as factors contributing to overcoming stigmatization. They are successfully used in several public health programs aimed at reducing the level of discrimination against patients with MI (Mannarini & Rossi, 2019). The biogenetic approach to the etiological concepts of MI is considered the most effective since, in this case, there is a high association between a specific belief and the perception of the controllability of the beginning of displacement.
To reduce the stigmatization of people with MI, campaigning actions directed against it should delve into differences in opinions and beliefs about disorders. The assessment of stigmatization is a very complex problem since it includes assessment procedures of varying complexity that can determine the structures of interactive variables, such as etiological beliefs, attitudes, prejudices, personal and social problems (Mannarini & Rossi, 2019). As a result, all that has been stated above will contribute to developing new, more effective, and efficient educational programs and clinical interventions.
Multiple studies in the field of psychology show that stigmatization of people with mental health problems is widespread and actively strengthened in modern society. Public condemnation of people who have any kind of mental illness hinders their adaptation process and negatively affects their quality of life. Stigma includes prejudice and discriminatory behavior towards people suffering from mental health problems. The consequences of such an attitude on the part of society are alienation, poor social support, and low self-esteem. In addition to the fact that these social attitudes negatively affect the quality of a person’s life, stigmatization also reduces the effectiveness of treatment. Such a phenomenon as self-stigmatization contributes to lower results in professional activity and increases social isolation.
Several measures need to be followed to successfully and effectively inform the general public about the importance of mental health care and overcoming stigma. First, it is essential to constantly and thoroughly inform people about mental illnesses by means of publication in the media, holding public events, writing books and articles understandable to an ordinary person.
Moreover, a well-established system of communication between patients about the successful overcoming of the disease is necessary. In addition to sharing information with other patients, people can share it with healthy people, who can later recognize MI in their relatives. Despite the already existing notable organizations that help prevent mental disorders in educational and working institutions, increasing and spreading them is necessary. It is important to let people suffering from mental illnesses understand that they are not the only ones who face and struggle with this complex and sometimes difficult to explain problem.
Reference
Mannarini, S., & Rossi, A. (2019). Assessing mental illness stigma: A complex issue. Frontiers in Psychology, 9. Web.