The stigmas that surround mental health, limit people from receiving treatment. It is an area that should be addressed in order to provide people with the care needed to be productive members of society. Education is the key to eliminating stigmas. National organizations involved in the research and promotion of mental health could provide PSAs on the common types of mental disorders and their prevalence. When people realize how commons their symptoms are, they may be more likely to reach out for treatment. Education in the school systems at an early age to prevent some of the illnesses common with adolescents (i.e. eating disorders) could assist with them getting treatment sooner as they know the consequences and their friends know the warning signs. Another way to prevent stigmas is education throughout communities through support group for people with mental illnesses as well as their family members to prevent prejudice after diagnosis. Mood disorders are so common know, I believe there has been a shift in people's thinking with regards to mental illnesses. However, there are still so many unanswered questions and lack of knowledge in communities about schizophrenia and serious mental disorders; we need to continue providing education to eliminate the stigmas.
Hey Kerri,
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you that education is the key in order to eliminate the stigmas associated with mental illness. If people become more aware of the warning signs and symptoms than I think more people would be prone to seek help. People should not feel ashamed for receiving help for a mental illness, maintaining good health is what matters and should be number one on people's priority list. It's a shame that so much negativity is associated with mental illness. I hope for everybody's sake that this view changes.
-Brittany LeBron