Stigma

Question 1

What are the 3 main components of stigma in mental health?

Answer 1

1. Cognitive => negative thinking (Stereotypes)
2. Attitudes => negative emotions (Prejudice)
3. Behaviours => negative actions (Discrimination e.g. wont employ a certain person)

Question 2

What “stereotypes” have been created in relation to people with mental health disorders?

Answer 2

“Dangerous”
“Unpredictable" 
“Scary”
“Violent” 
“Dirty”
“Worthless

Question 3

Many patients with mental health problems feel they need to disguise their diagnosis. TRUE/FALSE?

Answer 3

TRUE

• as they feel they will be perceived differently by others if their illness was known
• many withhold diagnosis in fear of jeopardising their employment

Question 4

The Changing Minds campaign aimed to tackle stigma by demonstrating the ignorance of society towards mental health problems. What statements did many of the public claim to agree to regarding patients with a mental illness?

Answer 4

• Dangerous to others /Unpredictable
• Hard to talk with
• Feel different from the way we feel
• Only themselves to blame
• Could pull themselves together if they wished
• Would not improve if given treatment
• Will never fully recover

Question 5

What forms of media are responsible for creating a negative stereotype of mental illness?

Answer 5

music
film
TV (even children’s TV)
Newspaper reports

Question 6

Give an example of a mental health treatment that is poorly portrayed in TV/film?

Answer 6

ECT

Question 7

Why is language also a form of mental health stigma?

Answer 7

Many derogatory terms are used “off-hand” and not for their usual meaning
=> this can be hurtful to patients with mental health disorders in which these terms are used