Stigma Associated with Mental Health Problems: A Review
Pooja R. Kasturkar *
Department of Mental Health Nursing, Smt. Radhikabai Meghe Memorial College of Nursing, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Sawangi (M), Wardha, Maharashtra, India.
Jaya Gawai
Department of Mental Health Nursing, Smt. Radhikabai Meghe Memorial College of Nursing, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Sawangi (M), Wardha, Maharashtra, India.
Sr. Tessy Sebastian
Department of Mental Health Nursing, Smt. Radhikabai Meghe Memorial College of Nursing, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Sawangi (M), Wardha, Maharashtra, India.
Kavita Gomase
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Nursing, Smt. Radhikabai Meghe Memorial College of Nursing, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Sawangi (M), Wardha, Maharashtra, India.
Manoj Patil
Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Sawangi (M), Wardha, Maharashtra, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Stigma is the negative attitude towards a distinguishing negative trait or personal feature. Although there have been inflow of efficient and feasible mental health therapies and programs and medical advances, nothing could be effective to reduce stigma. Stigma results in negative outcomes including difficulties with employment, poor social life and a decreased quality of life and self-esteem. Health care professionals and community people have to raise voices against stigma. Effective way of tackling mental illness stigmas are speaking out freely about mental disorders, avoid self-stigma, avoid labeling and discrimination, avoiding use of insolent language for mentally ill and get proper treatment. Poor mental health literacy and stigmatizing attitudes towards mental illness is more among community members so there is need to prevent the mental illness stigma in community and educate the people regarding mental health and measures to tackle mental illness stigma.
Keywords: Stigma, mental health, disorders, shame, therapies, attitudes, expression