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Stigma: 2
SECTION ONE:
My interaction with a mentally ill person was not an isolated incident. ...
Stigma: 3
I think that Elizabeth was appreciative of the time that I took aside from my day. ... I greeted her as I would greet any other person and I think that she recognized that I treated her as an individual and not as a illness. ...
SECTION 2
How can nurses intervene to minimize the social stigma associated with mental illness?
I believe that medical professionals, contribute to stigma through both the careless use of labels and through treatments that produce side effects which mark the person as having a mental illness. There are specific ways in which we as nurses can minimize the social stigma associated with mental illness. ... Nurses can reduce stigma by recognizing that these families have unique and real problems. ... It is
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important to consider how stereotypical attitudes might affect clinical nursing practice. Maintaining an up to date knowledge of mental illness leaves less room for stereotyping and prejudice to creep in.
Moreover, it is extremely important to listen to what our patients say about their mental illness and its consequences. Patients are important in educating their nurses about the consequences of mental illness. ... Nurses can be advocates for vulnerable individuals who have to deal with both their illness and the repercussions of stigma.
The simplest way to minimize stigma in an everyday setting is for nurses to make a conscious effort to avoid the use of potentially stigmatizing language, such as describing patients as if they were their illness. ...
What are appropriate strategies for political activity to ensure the well being of persons with a mental illness within our society?
At the Community Level
In recent years, our understanding of how to improve community attitudes to mental illness has not become increasingly developed. There should now be an awareness that we need long-term strategies to combat stigma. Two important ways of doing this are by making an improvement in "mental health literacy" and by halting the constant support of stigma by the media.
The widespread community misunderstanding about mental health problems and their treatment, highlights the need for improvement in mental health literacy. Programs
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should be available to improve mental health literacy in all people. ... The goal is, as mental illness becomes demystified, the community will better understand the early signs of mental illness and if in doubt be able to seek help for themselves, their families or their friends.
The media is a major player in any movement for change, as they have an important role in determining public attitudes to mental illness. Myths and misconceptions about mental illness are continually reinforced by destructive media images. ... Programs should be in place to encourage individuals to report mental illness suspicions such as schizophrenia without fear of social repercussions.
It should be acknowledged that it is better for people with mental illnesses to be treated within the community. As a society, we have a responsibility to reduce the stigma the mentally ill face. The sad reality is that, for most people with mental illness living in the community does not mean being part of the community, it means being isolated.
Approximate Word count = 2561
Approximate Pages = 10.2
(250 words per page double spaced)
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