Mental Illness Stereotypes

An estimated forty-six percent of homeless people are suffering from serious mental illness. Mental illnesses have long been debated as to their causes, treatments, and explanations; the way in which society has handled this discussion has led to stigmas against those suffering, which keep them from living healthier lives as many are too afraid to come forward and get help while others who are not facing these same struggles continue to treat them incorrectly. For years, people who were mentally ill were viewed as a spiritual or moral failure and often sent to asylums and were institutionalized (“Diseases of the Mind”). Even with scientific proof that mental illnesses are legitimate medical ailments the general public still have negative views

The stereotypes often make the mentally ill seem like a danger to society which has negative impacts on how they are treated in the real world. Although mental illness is recognized by the government and insurance alike as a medical condition, the general public continues to stigmatize those suffering from mental disorders such as anxiety and depression as merely moody. As there are biological and environmental links to many disorders, people should not treat those suffering with fear or disgust, but instead like any other person. If we were to educate people about mental health we could help to limit the stigma and encourage people suffering to acknowledge it and come forward to help them lead a healthier life. There is a lot of medical evidence to support the existence of mental illness, and this one simple fact should encourage people to look at it differently. In order to combat the stigma against people struggling with mental illness, people need to be educated on the science behind it, the effects of stigmas, and the inaccuracy of these stigmas and

They are often looked at as being unsafe and a danger to society but they are not. Stigmas do harm to both people suffering and people interacting with them. There should not be stigmas against people who are mentally ill because mental illnesses are legitimate medical ailments, can be treated, recognized by the government and insurance, and also because the stigmas do much more harm than they do good. The best way to eliminate the stigma against them is to educate people. If we were to educate people about mental health from a young age there would be a greater understanding rather than fear associated with it. Mental health education and screening for mental health issues should take place in schools and places of work to stop the issues of stereotypes and stigmas. Without the stigmas people would be more likely to come forward and get the help they need. The stigmas surrounding mental illness are unnecessary and harmful. Through education and awareness we can eliminate the stigma and create a better world for people