fitness Mental illness...how your society and culture treats it..

[arunima]

Mental illness has been long seen as a taboo. With increased awareness there has been slight improvement in the situation, but it is still not at par with what it ideally should have been. People still not feel comfortable sharing their mental health issues and the emotional turmoil. They find it tough to come out of their closets and many keep suffering in isolation. The situation is worse in traditional societies. It's a little better in progressive societies, but still not up to mark. We have a long way to go when it comes to recognition of mental health and supporting it.
Share your perspective from the socio cultural background you come from

 

[ActionAce]

Stigma towards mental illness shows different forms between different cultures. The attitudes toward mental health vary between different communities because some treat it as a vital issue but others consider it forbidden. It is very important for us to build an environment which promotes support for everyone.

 

[Ashake]

The kind of language we use acts as a powerful source that helps to reinforces mental illness stigma. Stating someone as 'crazy' or 'weak' about their mental health creates harmful effects. It's pertinent to use empathetic language. By taking this approach, we can establish stronger viewpoints toward their support for everyone.

 

[Yama]

My father suffered from acute depression for over 10 years and I ca perfectly understand how society treats you when you have mental issues. I do not know how but there is still a taboo surrounding mental diseases.

 

[Harsh World]

Mental illness is kind of taboo in Japan, but slowly making progress.

As far as the States goes, we need to bring back mental institutions, as the alternative, jail, or worse, homeless, isn't equipped to help them.

President Ronald Reagan deinstitutionalized those severely ill in the 80s, and it remains that way today. It is not empathetic to have someone who is full-blown schizophrenic or psychotic to wander the streets freely, and usually get picked up to go to a correctional facility (prison or jail) for their actions; it's far from being empathetic. Those people need to be locked away and be under supervised care before they harm themselves or others, and only be released when they're healthy. Though, they still monitoring to see if they're still taking care of their health. Laws also need to be implemented where they can institutionalize anyone for more than 72 hours if need be as well.

 

[Alamson]

Many people associate mental illness with being "mad" or having an aggressive behaviour. A lot don't know that mental illness can be in different forms and may be suffering from one without knowing. Some even think it is a spiritual problem without realising that it it treatable medically. It is just like any other disease.

 

[Lord Severus]

I totally agree with the prevalence of stigma.

I have a friend, who is a doctor. His father shows signs of chronic depression but despite not being a psychiatrist, he treats his father by himself. When I confronted him and asked for the reason, he admitted that if anyone sees him or his father in front of the consulting room of a psychiatrist, then people will think that his father is 'mad and dumb'.

I tried to correct him many times, but to no avail.

 

[arunima]

I totally agree with the prevalence of stigma.

I have a friend, who is a doctor. His father shows signs of chronic depression but despite not being a psychiatrist, he treats his father by himself. When I confronted him and asked for the reason, he admitted that if anyone sees him or his father in front of the consulting room of a psychiatrist, then people will think that his father is 'mad and dumb'.

I tried to correct him many times, but to no avail.

Thank you for bringing in this example. It clearly shows that there is a taboo so badly attached to it..You have mentioned a case of an educated person who still is not comfortable bringing it into light. He might have a reason deep rooted in the thought process and the prejudice by the social upbringing. If the society is a very traditional one, his father's illness might even impact his own practice and career as a doctor..that might be his fear. I am just assuming based on my personal experiences.

 

[Lord Severus]

It might be true because otherwise, there should be no reason why he should not be standing up against the taboo and taking his father to a doctor.

But unfortunately, it is too deep rooted that is difficult to break the taboo. What do you think are some good ways to break it?

 

[Apsara]

Mental illness is stigmatised in our country. Not just the person suffering from mental illness even his family are treated badly. Its a sorry state here.