Argumentative Research Essay Assignment - Copy

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1 Argumentative Research Essay Assignment Name Institution Tutor Course Date

2 People who are mentally ill face social stigma, have greater health-care expenditures, and are more likely to fall into poverty. One in in five Americans suffers from a mental condition. That 20% of the populace can have a detrimental impact on the regular strains of life, working effectively and fruitfully, and being capable of giving back to the community. When humanity as a whole fails to realize that mental disorder is a severe problem, more damage is being caused than good. Any type of mental disorder can simply be generated by society, although it could also increase as a result of humanity's failure to recognize how devastating injustice can be (Angermeyer & Matschinger, 2017). Americans suffer mental illness challenges, but significantly fewer seek treatment, mainly owing to the shame, humiliation, and stigma attached to mental illness. People's mental illness issues may be confined to society understanding about the injustices of these conditions. Stigma is regarded as the societal exclusion, isolation, and rejection of a person who possesses a certain characteristic. It is frequently viewed as a derogatory and ridiculed mark on an individual. Stigma has a strong impact on individuals, households and entire populations. Notwithstanding public and scientific advancements in mental illness understanding and knowledge, the stigma endures. This argumentative paper explores on specific stigma surrounding mental illness with a wide array of research on prejudice and stereotypes to present an in-depth assessment of the issues within the area. Many individuals suffering from severe mental illness have a double challenge. On one end, they are dealing with the condition's symptoms and limitations. On the other, they face prejudices and stereotypes as a result of preconceptions regarding mental illness. Owing to both cases, individuals with mental illnesses are deprived of the possibilities that characterize a meaningful life including good occupations, safe housing, adequate health care, and association with a diversified group of individuals (Del Rosal et al., 2020). Even though studies has

3 progressed a long way toward understanding the illness's impact, not only lately have they begun to address stigma surrounding mental illness. Much more research is needed to completely comprehend the depth and scope of stigmatization against persons with mental illnesses (Pescosolido et al., 2019). Thankfully, social sociologists and psychologists have actively been investigating the stigma phenomena in various minority populations for years. The broader public's reaction to those with mental illnesses is described as public stigma. On the other hand, self-stigma revolves around a prejudice that individuals suffering from mental illnesses hold towards themselves. Both types of stigma can be broken down into three parts: prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination. Stereotypes are particularly effective, according to social psychologists which entails social structures of knowledge learned by the vast majority of a social group. Stereotypes are deemed "social" since they represent commonly agreed upon perceptions about groups of people (Pescosolido et al., 2017). They are "effective" since they allow people to swiftly form perceptions and expectations about persons who conform to a stereotyped grouping. The reality that the majority of individuals are aware of a series of prejudices does not mean that they concur with them. Many people, for instance, may remember stereotypes regarding various ethnic groups yet disagree that such stereotypes remain valid. On the other hand, prejudiced individuals support these negative preconceptions ("That is true; all individuals suffering mental illnesses are violent!") and as a result create negative emotional responses ("They all terrify me!") (Del Rosal et al., 2020). As opposed to stereotypes, which constitute beliefs, prejudiced attitudes have an evaluative element that is often negative. To the stigmatized groups, prejudice elicits emotional reactions such as wrath or fear. Prejudice, which primarily involves a cognitive and emotive response, contributes to

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4 discriminatory practices, the behavioral response. Anger fueled by prejudice can escalate to violent conduct, such as physically hurting a minority population. In regards to mental illness, aggressive prejudice can give rise to the withholding of aid or the substitution of healthcare with criminal justice system services (Pescosolido et al., 2019). Employers, for instance, do not prefer people with mental illnesses as they claim they are unreliable and therefore they opt not to recruit them. Prejudice directed inwards, on the other hand, amounts to self-discrimination. According to studies, self-stigma along with fear of being rejected by others prevent many from seeking life chances for themselves. Discrimination and stigma can imprison individuals in a vicious cycle of sickness. Misconceptions and fears inside the public sphere have grave consequences; stereotypes surrounding mental health disorders have been exploited to legitimize bullying. For instance, a child's rationale for assaulting a classmate may be that they are frustrated by a condition, like Autism (Pescosolido et al., 2019). The youngster who cannot prevent but appear a slightly delayed in replies or comprehension can fall prey to either verbal or physical abuse, which can have a significant impact on them. Owing to their mental illness history, some people have been deprived proper accommodation, medical insurance, and employment. Most individuals have lost their self-esteem and find it challenging to make friends as a result of the shame attached to the condition. Public Stigma Stigmas associated with mental illness appear to be broadly tolerated by the general population in the Western civilization. According to studies, most residents within the United States as well as other Western European countries have stigmatizing sentiments regarding mental illness (Angermeyer & Matschinger, 2017). Moreover, stigmatizing notions concerning

5 mental illnesses are not restricted to uneducated individuals of the general population; stereotypes surrounding mental disorders are maintained by well-trained specialists from various mental health professions. Stigma tends to remain less prevalent in Asian as well as African societies, although it is uncertain if this is due to a societal environment that does not encourage stigma or a shortage of studies in these civilizations. According to existing research, while views about mental illness differ throughout non- Western countries, the stigma surrounding mental illness could be less serious as compared to its prevalence in Western societies (Pescosolido et al., 2017). A major reason is the absence of distinction between mental and non-psychiatric conditions across the three major non-Western healthcare traditions. Although stigma in psychiatric disorders does persist in non-Western civilizations, it appears to be associated mostly with more chronic types of illnesses that do not respond to conventional therapies (Del Rosal et al., 2020). Notably, stigma appears to be almost negligible in Islamic civilizations. Cross-cultural investigations of mental disease conceptions, experiences, and reactions are undoubtedly necessary. Several themes exemplify preconceptions surrounding mental illness as well as the stigmatizing beliefs that accompany it. Discrimination caused by public stigma can assume four shapes: withholding assistance, avoidance, aggressive treatment, and isolated institutions (Angermeyer & Matschinger, 2017). Previous research has demonstrated that the general population would withhold aid to certain minority groups due to the associated stigma. A further severe type of this tendency is social rejection, in which the general population attempts to avoid any contact with those suffering from mental illnesses. According to the General Social Survey of 2015, wherein the Mac Arthur Module of Mental Health was applied to a sample probability of 1444 grownups in the United States, upwards of half of participants were reluctant to devote an evening interacting

6 with, work besides, or have a member of the family get married to someone suffering mental illness (Del Rosal et al., 2020). Social avoidance entails more than simply a self-reported phenomenon; it remains a reality. According to studies, stigma exerts a negative influence on acquiring decent jobs and renting safe homes. Discrimination could also manifest itself in public perception regarding the manner in which to treat those suffering from mental illnesses. For instance, despite the fact that new research have failed to establish the efficacy of required treatment, over 40percent of the 2015 GSS study population felt that patients suffering schizophrenia ought to be coerced into treatment (Del Rosal et al., 2020). Furthermore, the public supports institutional isolation as the ideal solution for those with severe psychiatric conditions. Change strategies addressing public stigma can be classified into three groupings: contact, protest and education. In order to challenge the stigmatization they convey, groups protest erroneous and aggressive depictions of mental illnesses. These endeavors communicate two messages. For starters, the media should stop reporting erroneous mental illness representations and the general public should quit embracing negative stereotypes regarding mental illness (Moss-Racusin & Miller, 2018). Due to protest efforts, people are experiencing considerably less sanctioned manifestations of stereotypes and stigma. Anecdotal findings reveal that protest initiatives have been fruitful in withdrawing stigmatizing portrayals of mental illness. Nonetheless, there has been little empirical study addressing the psychological implications of protest movements on stigmatization and discrimination, indicating an essential area for future study (Prasetyo & Gunawijaya, 2018). Protesting involves a reactive tactic; it strives to reduce unfavorable attitudes around mental illness. However, it falls short in promoting more positive views based on facts.

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7 Education provides awareness to the population so that they can adopt better informed judgments concerning mental illness. Investigators have extensively explored this strategy of erasing stigma. According to one study, those who have a profound comprehension of mental disorders are less inclined to support stigma and prejudice (Moss-Racusin & Miller, 2018). As a result, systematic distribution of information regarding mental illness tends to reduce unfavorable attitudes. Various studies have also found that participation in mental illness education programs improves attitudes toward people with these issues. Education programs benefit a wide range of participants, such as college undergraduates, graduates, teenagers, community members, and those suffering from mental illnesses. Stigma is additionally reduced once the general public members encounter people suffering from mental illnesses who are capable of working or residing in a neighborhood as dependable neighbors. According to research, there is an inverse correlation between establishing interaction with an individual suffering from a mental condition and supporting psychiatric stigma (Pescosolido et al., 2017). As a result, possibilities for the general population to interact with those suffering from serious mental illnesses may reduce stigma. Interpersonal interaction is strengthened further whenever the general population is free to connect with persons having mental illnesses on a regular basis as peers. Self-Stigma People with mental disabilities, residing in a civilization that largely promotes stigmatizing attitudes, could absorb these notions and conclude they are inferior due to their psychiatric illness. Self-esteem and confidence for individual's future deteriorate as a result (Prasetyo & Gunawijaya, 2018). Considering these findings, self-stigma models should account for the negative impacts of discrimination on a person's self-conception. Nevertheless, research

8 also reveals that, rather than being degraded by the stigmatization, most people grow righteously furious as a result of the injustice they have suffered. This type of reaction allows individuals to redefine their positions within the mental health sector, becoming increasingly active players in their therapeutic plan and frequently advocating for better service quality (Moss-Racusin & Miller, 2018). A major paradox underlying self-stigma is reduced self-esteem versus justifiable anger. Models that describe self-stigma experiences should account for certain people whose concept of self is damaged by societal stigma vs others inspired by the injustice and respond forcefully to it. A third category should also be included when assessing the influence of stigma on an individual's self. Most people suffering mental illnesses have a concept of self that is neither harmed nor empowered by societal stigma, instead they display an apparent indifference to it entirely. It is wise to embark on a situational model in explaining this paradox, claiming that based on the circumstances, a person experiencing mental illness can suffer reduced self-esteem, justified anger, or relative apathy (Pescosolido et al., 2017). Collective representations stimulated in that circumstance, the person's view of the validity of stigma within the context, and the individual's affiliation with a broader population of persons experiencing mental illness are all important elements that influence a situational reaction to stigma. This approach has gradual consequences for how people with mental illnesses deal with self-stigma, along with recognition of policies promoting environments wherein stigma thrives. Moreover, there exist various intervention levels that a person can undertake. Education is the beginning point for all of these groupings. Individuals can explore a variety of publications, journals, and online sites (Prasetyo & Gunawijaya, 2018). Rather than providing psychiatric education in a segregated setting, mental health experts should consider providing it

9 in a comprehensive participatory program inside a public environment. Every mediation should persuade persons within the group regarding the necessity of confronting stereotypes within and without, and should sustain the battle to reverse the structure of the stereotype (Moss-Racusin & Miller, 2018). Because stigmatizers are reluctant to voluntarily attend these training sessions, they do not always function satisfactorily. As a result, stigma turns into a personal nightmare issue for which patients are unwilling to address openly with medical professionals. Since this remains a challenge, psychiatrists should treat stigma as a unique matter in its own sense. Psychiatrists should inquire on the intensity and nature of stigmatization and incorporate this information into their therapeutic approach (Angermeyer & Matschinger, 2017). The next phase in the process of education is for the person to evolve from a victim to an advocate. There exist various types of advocacy, including peer-group, self-help, legislative, professional, and public advocacy. When one join a help group, they run the risk of establishing a "they and us" scenario. However, provided the group incorporates interactions with friends, spouses and relatives, community groups as well as mental health specialists, it may be a beneficial experience (Prasetyo & Gunawijaya, 2018). It is challenging to forecast the efficacy of anti-stigma pursuits over time. Irrespective of the tactics, the goal is to boost social acceptability and eradicate discrimination. In conclusion, individuals suffering from mental illnesses are prevalent all throughout the world. Furthermore, the challenge of these disorders is projected to rise unless society realizes how it feels to be stigmatized, educate ourselves about mental illnesses, and work to eliminate the stigma associated with such conditions. Unfortunately, few people obtain the necessary psychiatric therapy because they fail to seek assistance and often are reluctant of carrying on with the care once they get started. Although therapy has been proved to be beneficial in low-

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10 income nations, stigma remains one of the most significant obstacles to treatment participation. Stigma is apparent in the framework of laws, policies, justice system, social services, and how resources are distributed.

11 References Angermeyer, M. C., & Matschinger, H. (2017). The stigma of mental illness: effects of labelling on public attitudes towards people with mental disorder. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica , 108 (4), 304–309. https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0447.2003.00150.x Del Rosal, E., González-Sanguino, C., Bestea, S., Boyd, J., & Muñoz, M. (2020). Correlates and consequences of internalized stigma assessed through the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale for people living with mental illness: A scoping review and meta-analysis from 2010. Stigma and Health . https://doi.org/10.1037/sah0000267 Moss-Racusin, C. A., & Miller, H. G. (2018). “Taking charge” of stigma: Treatment seeking alleviates mental illness stigma targeting men. Journal of Applied Social Psychology , 46 (6), 319–335. https://doi.org/10.1111/jasp.12362 Pescosolido, B. A., Manago, B., & Monahan, J. (2019). Evolving Public Views On The Likelihood Of Violence From People With Mental Illness: Stigma And Its Consequences. Health Affairs , 38 (10), 1735–1743. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2019.00702 Pescosolido, B. A., Monahan, J., Link, B. G., Stueve, A., & Kikuzawa, S. (2017). The public’s view of the competence, dangerousness, and need for legal coercion of persons with mental health problems. American Journal of Public Health , 89 (9), 1339–1345. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.89.9.1339 Prasetyo, F. A., & Gunawijaya, J. (2018). Removing Self-stigma: The Successes of People with Schizophrenia in Removing Self-stigma Through Self-control. ANIMA Indonesian Psychological Journal , 33 (3). https://doi.org/10.24123/aipj.v33i3.1691

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Argumentative Research Essay Assignment - Copy

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