You are more than just an illness, does your family realize that? Image by ronnieb.
The damaging effects of mental illness are not limited to those who carry the diagnoses. Their family members suffer too, according to a new study. The World Health Organization (WHO) spearheaded a global study, comprising participants from 28 countries, that researched the degree to which family members feel embarrassed when a close relative is ill.
They compared the level of embarrassment between family members of people with general medical conditions and family members of people with mental health conditions, and drug or alcohol addiction.
The researchers gave participants questionnaires about family embarrassment. Virtually across the board, regardless of location, age or gender, family members of people with mental illness, drug addiction or alcoholism expressed a stronger sense of embarrassment than family members of the generally ill about the condition of their relative.
Stigma Hurts
The WHO attributes the widespread feelings of shame to stigma against the mentally ill. The Mayo Clinic defines stigma as the experience of being judged based on a personal trait. According to the Mayo Clinic, people with mental health diagnoses commonly face stigma. Stigma has harmful effects, such as discrimination at school or work, difficulty finding housing, bullying, and lack of understanding by friends and family.
Even worse, a 2013 study by British researchers found that stigma prevents people with mental illness from receiving needed treatment. The researchers, led by C. Henderson, found that globally, more than 70% of people with mental illness do not receive treatment. They attribute that statistic to several factors, including prejudice against the mentally ill, and the expectation by the mentally ill that they will experience discrimination.
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Changing Minds is Challenging
According to a 2010 joint study by Columbia University and Indiana University researchers, the sense of prejudice toward those with serious mental illness or substance abuse problems is difficult to change. The researchers sought to find out if public campaigns to adjust perceptions about mental illness had been successful. Unfortunately, they found that the educational campaigns had hardly made a dent in the public conscience.
This study, which the National Institute of Mental Health funded, examined people’s attitudes at the beginning and end of a ten-year period. During that time, many groups attempted to explain the genetic and medical sources of mental illness. The awareness campaigns tried to equate mental illness with physical illness. While Americans did accept the biological basis of mental illness theory, the study showed that they did not adjust their outlook toward the mentally ill. They continued to carry stigmas, despite their new-found understanding.
End the Stigma
The WHO suggests several tactics to end discrimination against the mentally ill. One is increasing awareness, so that the general public will not equate mental illness with violence. Another is replacing psychiatric institutions with community mental health clinics, so that the general public will recognize that for many people, mental illness is simply an aspect of everyday life.
On a personal level, the Mayo Clinic has several recommendations about dealing with stigma. It suggests that people with mental illness should speak out against stigma, on the Internet, at events, and in letters to the editor. People who have experienced the effects of mental illness are well qualified to educate the public and to bolster others who have been newly diagnosed.
Your Opinion Counts
The Mayo Clinic also reminds people not to over-identify with their illnesses. Saying, “I’m schizophrenic,” instead of, “I am a person with schizophrenia,” only serves to increase the chances of enduring personal prejudice. Recognizing oneself as a person with many facets, including mental illness, helps others to mirror that view.
Lastly, it is important not to allow the stigma to generate self-doubt and shame. Having a mental illness is not a sign of personal weakness, and it is not something that you can control. By educating themselves about their conditions, people with mental illness can improve self-esteem and ignore the opinions of those who stigmatize them – even their own family members.
© Copyright 2013 Gilan Gertz, All rights Reserved. Written For: Decoded Science
Hi Harold,
I am sorry if you did not appreciate my choice of words. I followed the Oxford Dictionary’s definition of stigma: a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.
Thank you for the note.
I do not carry a “stigma.” I wholly resent that you direct one at me. Were one directed at you, how would you react? Hopefully as I did,
I think there may be a misunderstanding here. The article discusses research and findings from the World Health Organization and their use of the term stigma. The author is reporting the findings of a study conducted by WHO, not her own opinions. The final paragraph discusses recommendations by the Mayo Clinic. Sometimes, when discussing studies and reports in articles it may sound like the opinions of the journalist, but I clicked on the links at the bottom of the article and the stigma discussion is actually coming from the studies, not the journalist. My understanding of the discussion on stigmas is that the WHO and Mayo Clinic believe stigmas are a bad thing. They are not trying to encourage stigmas in any way, they are trying to suggest ways to cope with discrimination against mental illness.
Ms Gerth chooses to direct a “stigma.” Or simply repeat one. Her words are irresponsible. See Jew/stigma for why.
You choose to edit that choice onto your page. You are equally irresponsible. See rape/stigma for why.
Are you referring to the author? Gilan Gertz? I don’t understand your comment. Could you explain?
Were the author to direct a “stigma” at rape, would you approve? Had she projected the “stigma” of Jews, how would you react?
That is how I react to her accusation..
You are absolutely right, I would not approve. However, I do not think the author is projecting a stigma toward anyone, she is repeating the results of studies conducted by health organizations.
Check the article again, you will see the term “stigma,” directed by her to the page.
I will, Harold, and thank you for your patience. I am simply trying to understand. As a fellow journalist I believe (or hope) that we all strive toward objectivity in discourse and I also hope you understand that my attempts to engage you in conversation on this matter are not hostile in nature. I am simply trying to point out that the intent of the article, as I read it, is to discuss the prejudice suffered by those with mental illness. I do not believe the author is trying to cause further insult to those who struggle with mental illness, but to help as best she can to draw attention to the fact that people with mental illness and/or drug and alcohol addiction, as well as their families, in addition to trying to cope with the illness, must also cope with social prejudice. I hope that makes sense. .
W are in agreement. Check what you wrote above. The term to which I address as itself prejudice does not appear. I appreciate its absence.