1. Stigma is a form of discrimination. It is when you treat a person differently or with a lack of respect based on perceivable characteristic. It is a negative stereotype.
2. Social construction is when society builds up a social understanding of the world and what is okay and what isn’t okay and what our assumptions should be. The stigma surrounding mental health is created because of a lack of understanding for it. Since we can’t see when someone is suffering and because we don’t fully understand the challenges of it, we push it aside and call it over exaggerating. It is important because it is society assumptions of a topic, and often we assume the wrong thing.
3. Society stereotypes mental health in many ways. Mostly because they don’t fully understand it. It is hyped up to be something that it’s not and that is when stigma comes into play. People with mental illness often get treated as if they are drama queens, or less intelligent than others, or even as if they are ‘broken’. Many believe that people with a mental illness are dangerous, when in fact they are more dangerous to themselves. In the documentary we watched in class, one of the kids who was sharing his struggles with bipolar disorder spoke about being put in a ‘quiet room’. He said he was placed in a quiet room when he was lashing out due to his disorder. His parents even said when they picked him up from school they say claw marks at the door.
4. The consequences of stigmatizing mental health can be quite upsetting. In many cases it causes for the person suffering to go unhelped and unnoticed. It can cause the person's condition to get worse. It can feel lonely and painful. It makes the person struggle more. And sometimes it can make the person feel like it is their fault.
5. Talking and discussing mental health is an important way of reducing mental health stigma. When people are able to understand and connect with the experiences of a mental illness, they are able to address it more appropriately and respectfully.
Citation:
Noel, L. (Director). (2010). Racing Thoughts [Documentry]. Canada. https://www.nfb.ca/playlist/understanding-mental-health-youth-and-adults/playback/#3
Good fix - thanks!
Excellent Brennan. Great definition and I like that you have referred to the video (although you should have cited it, I gave you the full citation on the paper!). I appreciate your compassion in this reflection, particularly your statement that "it can feel lonely and painful". Great work. 19/20