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Literature Review: How can society destigmatize mental health care?

Mental health problems affect millions of individuals around the world. Despite this large

number there is still a negative attitude, or stigma, that is portrayed by others towards individuals

that publicly acknowledge issues or that are observed seeking out help. Some of these

individuals also experience discrimination on many levels, in all areas of their lives (Pruthi).

Seeking out treatment is negatively viewed by both family and the general public (Spangler), not

to mention the labels that come with seeking out help such as “dangerous, violent, or disabled”

(Foundation, Mental Health). So how as a society do we get to a place where seeking out mental

health care is the norm?

Jennifer Spangler suggests in her article: “The stigma extends to treatment for mental

health, too” that perhaps the stigma of having a mental health issue is not the main source of

discomfort but the treatment itself is what is most negatively viewed by struggling individuals.

When someone who is admitted to a psychiatric facility in a crisis, often times they are forced to

take medication with no regard to potential side effects or costs to the patient, no consent needed

(Spangler).

The word “mental illness” has been used by the general public and media for decades, but

a look into the DSM-5 (Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), will show you that

the correct term portrayed is “Mental Disorder”. The term “mental illness” is often thrown

around carelessly, and Richard Vatz, who authored: “STIGMATIZE THIS!” states that “mental

illness is a term that has been applied liberally to people with all kinds of problems” and also that

“the DSM-5 includes disorders of such general nature that anyone can be diagnosed in order to

maximize parity with physical illness in insurance coverage”.

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Richard Vatz suggests later in his work that stigma around mental health care will not

end. He goes on to indicate that some cases should be stigmatized when it pertains to individual

choice, such as in the cases involving drug use, to aid in discouraging people from bad behavior.

He then proceeds to discuss the dependency of youth on large counseling groups as a way of

normalizing youth’s dependency on others, therefore making them unmotivated to solve life’s

challenges on their own.

Mental health disorders affect a large percentage of Americans however approximately

only half of those individuals seek out care, leaving the other half to continue on untreated.

Patients who are being treated by Primary Care Physicians for other health issues that bring up a

concern regarding mental health are typically referred out to another office specializing in mental

health care. Of those individuals who are referred out to a mental health specialist, 30-50% do

not attend their first scheduled appointment. This once again highlights the disconnect or stigma

when it comes to following through with seeking out mental health care (Rowan).

Discrimination is vast as it pertains to individuals seeking out care or acknowledging

mental health issues. It comes in both direct forms as well as subtle ones. Not only can

individuals be judged and condemned by others, but they also tend to turn against themselves.

Peers of individuals such as family, friends, or coworkers, can lack compassion and

understanding for the individual struggling. These same peers can label someone as potentially

violent, crazy, or unstable. Medical facilities sometimes discredit patients’ complaints about

other issues when they see that they have a “record” of mental health issues or medications.

Employers and landlords may overlook individuals as potential candidates assuming that they

may not be reliable. Health insurance companies have limited coverage regarding mental health
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care. These are just some of the examples that can make a person reluctant to seek out help or

treatment (Pruthi).

One of the strongest arguments for ending the stigma surrounding mental health care is

education. Those who are suffering from issues need to learn about their condition and learn to

accept it. Those who do not suffer, or those who love someone who do, need to have the tools to

learn about mental health conditions (Pruthi). Intertwining mental health care with primary care

is another great way to help end the stigma. Patients are more likely to follow through with care

if they are already in a place that addresses their overall wellbeing (Rowan). Lastly, making

mental health care affordable is a big step towards normalizing seeking out help.

Upon completion of my final research essay, I found that I doubled the list of sources for my

research. As I dove into trying to get my point across, I found that it was important to take a look

back at where mental health care was in previous generations. Through my research of past

mental health care and treatments I was able to provide a bigger picture of how stigmas began in

the first place and why there should be an emphasis on change for the future. I also included a

personal interview into my final paper as I thought it was important to provide a story of a real

person who has lived through and witnessed the stigmas that pertain to mental health care. It is

my opinion that the interview I included helped to humanize my paper.

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Works Cited

Foundation, Mental Health. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/s/stigma-and-discrimination.

04 October 2021. 04 March 2022.

Rowan, Anderson B. Grove, Jessica Solfelt,Lindsay Magnante, Anna. "Reducing the Impacts of

Mental Health Stigma Through Integrated Primary Care: An Examination of the

Evidence." Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings (2020): 679-693.

Sandhya, Pruthi M.D. Chief Medical Editor. "Mental health: Overcoming the stigma of mental

illness" https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/in-depth/mental-

health/art-20046477. 1198-2022. 04 March 2022.

Spangler, Jennifer. "The stigma extends to treatment for mental health, too." 17 September 2021.

"The stigma extends to treatment for mental health, too." Washingtonpost.com, 17 Sept.

2021, p. NA. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints,

link.gale.com/apps/doc/A675882043/OVIC?u=dayt30401&sid=bookmark-

OVIC&xid=7bb1b592. Accessed 17 Mar. 2022. 4 March 2022.

Vatz, Richard E. "STIGMATIZE THIS!" July 2014.

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Stigmatize+this!-a0377286986

https://eds.p.ebscohost.com/eds/detail/detail?vid=14&sid=8e94a880-ff27-44e0-92ae-

16c99867acb2%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU

%3d#db=pwh&AN=97261105. 5 March 2022.

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