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Aspects of Stigma
Until we can define what we are
dealing with when we talk of stigma and discrimination we may not be
able to do anything very much. Below are some ideas put together as a
result of the stigma discussion at the Jerusalem conference and other
discussions about stigma we have If you have something to add that may
help people in their creation of anti-stigma and anti-discrimination
programs please call in to our email.
STEREOTYPING
1.
Grouping or categorizing persons under one heading and
attributing characteristics to all the individuals under that heading
2.
Making generalizations about groups of people
3.
Making judgments based on how people look
4.
Being unable to see people as individuals with individual
characteristics
5.
Using stereotypes on which to base film or TV suspense movie
plots
REINFORCING THE STEREOTYPE
1.
Untreated people who are visible on our streets present an image
that people respond to with fear and avoidance
2.
In some societies eccentricity is well accepted, in others people
must conform for acceptance.
HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS
1.
The idea that psychiatric disorders have to do with the
supernatural
2.
An almost innate feeling of fear among many members of society
3.
A fear of associating with anyone who has a mind disorder
4.
Society's recollection of the "madhouse" as demonstrated in films
like "The Snake Pit" back in the 40s.
5.
A human being's distrust of the unpredictable
IGNORANCE
1.
The lack of knowledge and the public unawareness of how these
disorders affect people
2.
Attributing logical and reasoned thought to the actions of people
in psychosis
3.
A susceptibility to make fun of mental illness
4.
Government and societal discrimination against people with these
disorders in matters of employment, travel (visas), etc..
5.
The mental health workforce is largely untrained and ignorant of
current knowledge in the field
ABUSE
1.
Persons recovering from or unstable with illnesses of the mind
are very vulnerable to unscrupulous individuals who would dupe or
otherwise abuse them.
2.
Persons angered by the behaviour of people with illness may
physically abuse them.
3.
Vulnerability to coercion by religious cults, drug users and
dealers and others
LANGUAGE
1.
Using words that have unpleasant connotations
2.
Using words which are downright offensive e.g. schizo; psycho.
(Extraordinarily enough a group of consumers have adopted for themselves
the term "the crazies"
3.
Describing disorders using vivid adjectives e.g. "horrific;
incurable"
4.
Finding suitable terms to describe experiences
5.
Using judgmental language
6.
The pejorative connotation of words that were originally ways to
describe people's conditions e.g. mental illness
7.
Discounting anything someone with experience of schizophrenia
says as delusional thinking or not to be considered.
THE BENEFITS OF LANGUAGE
1.
Finding more suitable expressions which put the hope back e.g.
"treatable"
2.
Being able to ask those who have experience of mind disorders
whether they can suggest better ways of using language
3.
Thinking before you speak. Putting yourself in the other persons
position.
4.
Listening to and conversing with persons with experience of
schizophrenia
VALUING PEOPLE WITH DISORDERS
1.
People should not be characterized by the disorders they suffer.
There is more to a person than this.
2.
Searching out people's abilities is of more value than
reinforcing notions about their disabilities
CHANGING THE EXPECTATIONS
1.
Better medications and better management indicate that today
recovery is a very real hope.
2.
Better income provision for those with such disabilities may make
them less vulnerable to discrimination.
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