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Christopher Craig

Prof Perry

English 2010

July 12 2022

Eradicating Mental Health Stigma.

Victims of mental health disorders are more than likely to be ridiculed, stigmatized, and

seen as an outcast by society on a global level. Because of this, many refuse to seek treatment or

talk openly about stigma. Throughout history, mental health stigmatization has evolved and

changed as technology progresses. Because of the changes over time, mental disorders have been

seen in several forms ranging from witchcraft, to insanity. While this is no longer the case with

the majority of the population and top medical scientists, there is still an everlasting problem of

mental health stigma that plagues our society to this day. Mental health disorders range from a

variety of different conditions mostly categorized as neurodiversity. Conditions such as ADHD,

autism, anxiety etc. are classified as neurodivergent conditions. While many don’t see mental

health stigma as a serious problem, the overwhelming evidence to the contrary disproves this

assertion. Because of the overwhelming mental health stigma that has been present indefinitely,

this has led to many outright refusing treatment when it would prove beneficial for them.

While mental health is a complicated topic, there should be a collective effort into eradicating the

stigma surrounding disorders as it has been proven consistently to cause more harm to the

individual.

Mental health stigma comes in a variety of ways stemming from “micro” stigma to

“macro” stigma. The difference between the two comes from the size of each category. “Micro”

stigmatization comes from those close to the individual such as friends, family, acquaintances,
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and others. “Macro” stigmatization encompasses society as a whole. Within “micro” and

“macro” stigma are a few categories within those two labels. The article “Stigma in Mental

Health at the Macro and Micro Levels: Implications for Mental Health Consumers and

Professionals” by Holder et al. (2019) describes the several types of mental health stigma. Social

stigma involves the shaming of an individual due to the inability to “fit in” with society. The

article uses physical illnesses to describe social stigma more clearly. American culture views

mental illnesses as being weak while physical illnesses are never targeted toward the individual.

Self-stigma is when an individual judges their mental illness negatively and sees it as being

“broken.” Professional stigma is considerably the most dangerous stigmatization as physicians,

doctors, psychologists, and other professionally trained careers reinforce stigmatization through

their clients continuing a cycle of stigma. These examples provided should be taken into

consideration as the argument that mental health stigma only stems from one source is contrary

to the evidence showing the various different forms that stigma can arise from and these forms

should all be taken seriously when putting forth an initiative to eradicate mental health stigma.

There have been numerous tests and studies done that have confirmed that mental health

stigma has a negative and detrimental effect on those suffering from mental disorders. The article

by Hubbeling and Smith (2022) tested whether home treatment could help improve a patient

suffering from a mental disorder through their perception of treatment. While the results varied,

the overwhelming majority agreed that home treatment was much more beneficial and preferred

among the subjects. Home treatment of mental disorders have shown to improve one’s mental

health due to the lack of stigmatization that is inherent in hospitals. With this in mind, there

should be more acceptance for at home treatment if a patient desires to be treated at home rather

than a psychiatric hospital. The belief that patients must be at a hospital for their treatment to be
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fully effective is flawed as the testing proved to the contrary. When a patient is comfortable in

their surroundings, they tend to view themselves as a normal person and not a patient with

something broken in their head.

The article “Examining Mental Health Stigma on Guam: A Serial Mediation Model” by

Aguon and Kawabata (2022) describes a test among the ethnic CHamoru people who suffered

from mental disorders. In that test they found that for the participants surveyed, only 6% of them

were seeking medical treatment for their mental health disorders. The article explains that the

majority of the CHamoru people stigmatize mental health disorders as abnormal or crazy. This

has caused many to internalize and bottle up their mental health disorders. And refuse treatment

which has led to this surprisingly low number.

“General attitudes towards mental health have reportedly improved in recent years,

though conversely research suggests many people still hold stigmatized views” (Bradbury 2020).

This quote reflects on the need to continuously combat mental health stigma as many still view

mental health disorders in a stigmatized way. In the article, several participants of varying ages

and genders were asked to give their opinions on generalized anxiety disorder and schizophrenia.

The results showed that while more people were positive toward generalized anxiety disorder,

schizophrenia was viewed negatively. Interestingly enough, while the hypothesis believed that

those aged 16-18 would hold less stigmatized views than those aged 40 years and over, the

opposite was actually true. This led Bradbury to conclude that as someone ages, they hold less

stigmatized views toward mental health disorders rather than a simple generation transition.

“The World Health Organization (WHO) special initiative for mental health highlighted

that nearly four out of five people with mental illness (including substance use and neurological

disorder) do not receive good quality and affordable mental health care globally.” (Eshetu et al.
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2). To put that into perspective, the World Health Organization found that 80% of those who

suffer from mental illnesses or substance abuse, refuse to seek treatment. This quote confirms

that mental health stigma is not a domestic thing but happens globally which hinders the

overwhelming majority of victims of mental health disorders from seeking treatment. Because of

how likely it is to be stigmatized and attacked for simply having a mental disorder, many refuse

to openly seek treatment and would rather live life like nothing was wrong. This is highly

dangerous for those who choose this option as the same article brings up how those suffering

from mental disorders in Ethiopia, one of the poorest countries in the world, had a considerably

higher risk of death compared to those without a mental disorder. This is due to the fact that

mental health disorders aren’t seen as life threatening and aren’t seen as severely as they really

are in poor countries. Much like the first source, physical symptoms are treated first and

foremost while mental illnesses aren’t seen as a severe condition and are treated less seriously.

This exclusivity of mental disorders and physical disorders builds a barrier between two very

severe disorders when both should be treated equally in most cases. In the article, it confirmed

through multiple studies that in Ethiopia, discrimination and stigma is completely widespread

throughout Ethiopia which has contributed to the low mental health research and treatment in the

country. While mental health stigma is universal, there are many factors that determine how

severe stigma is. Stigma is more likely to occur in poorer countries and communities compared

to more wealthy countries and communities. There should be more effort done in bringing up the

poorer communities rather than simply ignoring the problem at best and exploiting these

communities at worst.

The article also brings up and mentions many ways at combating mental health stigma

which includes education, exposure, and protests. Many citizens who were surveyed in the
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Northern regions in Ethiopia believed that many who suffered from mental health illnesses were

simply only being possessed by evil spirits. This superstition works as a roadblock toward fully

understanding mental health disorders as it quite literally demonizes the person and this line of

thought could lead toward discrimination of that person. Debunking superstitions and preventing

demonizing mental health disorders would prove beneficial in lowering the stigma and

increasing the percentage of those who seek treatment. Unfortunately, there is still plenty of

room for eradicating mental health stigma throughout the world as this requires studying and

working with multiple cultures, laws, religions, and other social factors that show different levels

of stigma. This article confirms that mental health stigma, despite being universal, is more

prevalent in poorer communities and that this stigma can prevent many from seeking treatment

especially when factoring in the cost of mental health treatment. Poorer communities should be

given easier and more affordable access to healthcare as many communities simply do not have

access to proper medical facilities.

Similarly to the first source, the article brings up different categories of mental health

stigma. This provides a second confirmation of how mental health stigma is conceptualized as

the article writes how stigma can be experiential or action oriented. This is similar to the

“macro” and “micro” stigmas but experiential and action oriented stigma are slightly different as

experiential stigma is described as “how stigma occurs” while action oriented stigma “indicates

who/what gives or receives the stigma” (Eshetu et al. 2). Despite these differences in how

stigma is labeled, they both confirm the same sub categories such as social stigma, self-stigma,

and others. These two articles both confirm what types of stigma are most common and what

should be exposed to the wider public to bring more awareness toward eradicating mental health

stigma.
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Mental health stigma may seem inconsequential and trivial in society, however mental

health stigma is a serious issue within the medical community. While the previous article by

Eshetu, et al. mentions the World Health Organization, this article by Gunasekaran, et al. (2022)

sheds more light on how the medical professionals see the current situation with mental health

stigma through a survey of 17 healthcare professionals through snowball sampling (1).

The results confirmed how often stigma is seen by these medical professionals on a daily

basis. “Some don’t even feel that they deserve friends, they feel that they don’t even deserve

treatment. Because they say “I have an issue, so what’s the point?” You know? I don’t

see...” Maybe you should go and treat those with cancer...” (5). This input brought forth by

a psychologist reaffirms just how hopeless those with mental health disorders feel about their

condition. By acting apathetic toward their condition and encouraging this psychologist to seek

treating cancer patients rather than an “invisible,” they’re strengthening the divide between

mental illnesses and physical illnesses. This alongside the article by Aguon and Kawabata (2022)

and Holder et al. (2019) that physical illnesses and mental illnesses, despite being similar in

severity in most cases, are treated entirely differently. Mental health disorders should be treated

seriously and shouldn’t be sidelined for physical illnesses as all this does is worsen the

conditions of an already suffering disorder.

Looking further into the medical community shows that even medical professionals

themselves are victims of stigma for being associated with those who suffer from mental health

disorders. The participants involved in the survey brought up the effects of “job devaluation”

which is a stigma that minimizes a job’s significance through public perception. Even inside the

medical community are instances of stigma which leads to burnout and compassion fatigue
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among those involved in mental health treatment (7). This article brings up the unfortunate truth

that mental health stigma is indeed ingrained inside the medical community.

The final source by Elbulok-Charcape et al. (2021) brings up an argument through

combating mental health stigma by following a six step program.

1) familiarizing oneself with the data; 2) generating initial codes (through the process of

developing and modifying themes); 3) searching for themes; 4) reviewing themes; 5)

defining themes; and 6) reporting the thematic analysis (4-5).

These steps broken down into more commonly understandable phrases involve many

solutions to mental health stigma. When one understands the current presence of mental health

stigma and its consequences, that person should be more likely to eradicate any stigma they

currently feel toward mental health disorders. Identifying themes involves the categorization of

reducing mental health stigma. Bringing awareness to the public through entertainment and

social media and educating the public by describing the various mental health disorders would

classify as two separate themes.

While mental health stigma is incredibly difficult to combat in the macro levels,

eradicating stigma at the individual level is a slower but more effective way at combating mental

health stigma. The article used a strongly diverse survey that specifies diversions down to race,

gender, age, and whether they’ve been diagnosed with a mental disorder. The survey conducted a

thematic related question which asks the students about which theme would prove most effective

at combating mental health stigma. While the results varied, the theme with the highest results

was “education.” Those with a diagnosed mental health disorder overwhelmingly agreed on

education. This coincides with the six step process as it confirms the need for step one which

involves familiarizing oneself with how mental health disorders operate and how to effectively
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combat mental health stigma(5-8). This final source is important to consider as mental health

stigma has been proven to have a strongly detrimental effect on those suffering from mental

health disorders.

The claim that stigma doesn’t affect those who suffer from mental disorders is a blatantly

false statement as these sources provided show that while mental health stigma is not as

prominent as it was in the past, there is still an everlasting problem that isn’t going to fade away

through generation transitioning as evidence shows that stigma is more prominent through

younger individuals contrary to the belief that younger individuals are more tolerant of mental

health problems. There is substantial evidence proving stigma can harm and prevent treatment

through shame and the guilt of being seen as an outcast. There should be more caution and

awareness taken into effect when handling mental health disorders. The best way to help

someone suffering from a mental health disorder is to treat them like a human being and not as a

broken object.

Many of the “macro” and “micro” stigmas should be eradicated as change starts at the

individual and ends with our society. While mental health stigma might not personally affect a

lot of people, it still causes very harmful effects to those suffering from a mental health disorder.

There should be action taken by everyone, not just those who are affected. If mental health

stigma can be eradicated, it could open up a new world of mental health recovery. Those who

stigmatize whether willingly or unintentionally shouldn’t be demonized but should instead be

encouraged to research this sensitive topic as stigmatizing has never cured someone but rather

worsened the symptoms by affirming their fears of judgement and discrimination. While this

paper involves mental health stigma, these arguments should be put forth toward other forms of

stigma such as the substance abuse stigma that is ever present. The article done by Gunasekaran,
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et al. (2022) shows primary evidence supporting the claim that stigma is both consequential and

ingrained inside the medical community. Finally, the last source brought up shows a six step

process that works toward eliminating mental health stigma at the individual level and brings up

a survey that indicates education as the most popular theme to combating mental health stigma.

There should be more awareness brought forth to combat unnecessary stigma

everywhere. Mental health disorders are difficult to identify due to our limited knowledge on the

subject. If there was less stigma surrounding the mental health community, then there would be

more opportunities for breakthroughs in recovery. The second source has proven that the most

traditional method of treating mental health is flawed at most and psychiatric wards tend to

encourage stigma rather than diminish its effects. With all this in mind, there should be no

questions in opening up this controversial debate and settling it once and for all.
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Works Cited

Holder, S.M., Peterson, E.R., Stephens, R. et al. Stigma in Mental Health at the Macro

and Micro Levels: Implications for Mental Health Consumers and Professionals. Community

Ment Health J 55, 369–374 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-018-0308-y

Hubbeling, Allerdiena A., and Jared G. Smith. “At Home or in Hospital: Home

Treatment and Mental Health Stigma.” International Journal of Social Psychiatry, vol. 68, no. 4,

June 2022, pp. 866–72. EBSCOhost,

https://doiorg.dist.lib.usu.edu/10.1177/00207640211009558.

Aguon, Corinth Terlaje, and Yoshito Kawabata. “Examining Mental Saúde Stigma on

Guam: A Serial Mediation Model.” Asian American Journal of Psychology, Apr. 2022.

EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.dist.lib.usu.edu/10.1037/aap0000286.

Bradbury, A. Mental Health Stigma: The Impact of Age and Gender on Attitudes.

Community Ment Health J 56, 933–938 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-020- 00559-x

Girma Eshetu, et al. “Mental Health Stigma and Discrimination in Ethiopia: Evidence

Synthesis to Inform Stigma Reduction Interventions.” International Journal of Mental Health

Systems, vol. 16, no. 1, June 2022, pp. 1-18. EBSCOhost,

https://doi-org.dist.lib.usu.edu/10.1186/s13033-022-00540-z

Gunasekaran, Savita, et al. “The Perspectives of Healthcare Professionals in Mental

Health Settings on Stigma and Recovery - A Qualitative Inquiry.” BMC Health Services

Research, vol. 22, no. 1, July 2022, pp. 1–16. EBSCOhost,

discovery.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=5d542d22-8472-3f9c-8140-7dc94cf913fe.
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Elbulok-Charcape, Milushka M., et al. “Reducing Stigma Surrounding Mental Health:

Diverse Undergraduate Students Speak Out.” Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, vol. 35,

no. 4, Oct. 2021, pp. 327–44. EBSCOhost,

discovery.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=7704156f-150f-39cd-ab26-e867d3c3c9e5.