Stigmatization is the assignment of negative perceptions to
an individual because of perceived difference from the population at large
which may occur on the basis of physical appearance, of mental or physical illness,
or of various other qualities.
During an opinion poll conducted by Mental Health Drive (MHD)
on Monday, 9th July, 2018, on the role stigmatization plays in mental relapse”,
the following were the various impressions people have regarding the subject
matter:
- Stigmatization is one of the major factors in mental relapse which occurs when an individual is regarded inferior.
- Stigmatization is when an individual is deprived of social rights due to certain conditions e.g mental illness.
- Stigmatization is a humiliating tag place on the affected victims by the society just to make them feel unwanted and unaccepted.
- Stigmatization means to be condemned, denounced or denied of certain rights.
- Stigmatization, with regards to mental health, is a great devil that has done much harm to the mentally ill, as it both decreases recovery rate, as well as increase rate of relapse.
- An individual suffering from mental illness is believed to be incapacitated thereby making them.
- The fear of being stigmatized may definitely prevent people from coming forward to seek any form of help.
- The negative attitudes and beliefs toward people who have a mental health disorder are common in our society; hence, the discrimination which may be obvious and direct.
- Some health workers are guilty of stigmatization despite understanding its devastating effect on individuals with mental illness.
- There is need to embrace the need for mental health promotion in our community and society at large.
- Most persons want to keep their ailment a secret so as not to be stigmatized; thereby, not seeking help at the appropriate places.
- Main cause of relapse is non adherence/compliance to treatment which many do because of fear of being stigmatized.
- Due to the society we found ourselves, anyone that has ever had any form of mental challenge is assumed never to be normal again. Whatever action the person displays is interpreted as abnormal, especially during the recovery process, driving him/her into anxiety and depression which in turn forms the bedrock of relapse.
It was also stated that Mental Health Drive is a good step
in the right direction, timely and needful as people needs to unlearn all the
old beliefs and have a positive attitude towards people with mental conditions.
Issues of mental health should be made a well-known fact to the public by creating
various awareness every time (People who have hypertension and diabetes have no
issue going to hospital over and over and take their drugs for life. What makes
mental illness different?).
Educate someone, some persons each day with every little
opportunity you get till people realize that mental illness is not different
from every other chronic illness like hypertension, diabetes, asthma etc. Health
workers have a lot to do in enlightening the public and should also get
educated first. When people have adequate knowledge on mental health, it would
go a long way in reducing the level of stigmatization in the society.
Our Government needs to see the importance of having a place
for mental health by first passing its bill, not forgetting the rural community.
Let come together to kill stigmatization (ignorance) with
effective knowledge sharing!
