The Stigma of Mental Illness 

“Stigma refers to a cluster of negative attitudes and beliefs that motivate the general public to fear, reject, avoid and discriminate against people with mental illnesses. Stigma is not just a matter of using the wrong word or action. Stigma is about disrespect. It is the use of negative labels to identify a person living with mental illness. Stigma is a barrier. Fear of stigma and the resulting discrimination discourages individuals and their families from getting the help they need.” 

SAMHSA, School Materials for a Mental Health Friendly Classroom, 2004 

Disclosure for confidentiality: This is a broad question on community views about mental health issues. Please do not share any personal mental health information online that you would not feel comfortable sharing. If you need help with a mental health issue, please refer to the link under Broward College resources or Hotlines and Mental Health Resources within Unit 3 on Intellectual Wellness in D2L. 

We all have personal experiences that inform and motivate our actions. It is important to share more about those experiences and discuss why we care about mental health issues. In doing this we can relate to each other better and develop a common understanding that is foundational to creating community solutions. Please be respectful of your classmate’s posts. Post your answers to the following questions and respond to a classmate’s post.

Why do you think people with mental health are stigmatized and how might it impact them? What do you think influences perceptions about mental illness? Can you think of any other health conditions or social issues that have been stigmatized throughout history?   Lastly, how are mental health issues in the community possibly intertwined with issues of substance abuse? 

(Make sure to answer all the questions in order to get full pts plus respond to a classmate) (All discussions should be 2-3 paragraphs in length and check your grammar) (See rubric in Syllabus for details).