Solving the Problem of Depression and Mental Illness in People
Individuals in need of mental health services, specifically those needing help with depression, have their likelihood of receiving treatment or not receiving treatment directly shaped by mental health stigma (Tay, Alcock, & Scior, 2018). Mental illness and the stigma that corresponds with its presence negatively effects the mentally ill by increasing the chances of losing social status, becoming socially isolated or rejected, and propagates the likelihood that their label and stereotype will become a terrible reality.
As stigma increases, individual’s motivation to get treatment goes increasingly downward, most likely to avoid devastating social consequences. This being the case, positive health benefits of mental health treatment may never be realized. While all are negatively affected by mental health stigma, the already severely depressed individuals are hit especially hard (Fox, Smith, & Vogt, 2018).
In a study done to assess the mechanism of stigma most likely to cause harm, anticipated stigma was observed to have positively influenced internalized stigma in individuals, which was associated with them seeking treatment less often. Moderation analyses revealed that anticipated stigma was only associated with treatment seeking when depression symptoms were severe (Fox, Smith, & Vogt, 2018). Severely depressed individuals, it seems, are marginalized by mental health stigma.
Order custom essay Solving the Problem of Depression and Mental Illness in People with free plagiarism report
450+ experts on 30 subjects
Starting from 3 hours delivery
Society has instigated wide spread stigma through the expansive growth of the media, especially in its portrayals of mental health services. Media portrayals often do a poor job construing mental health service implementation realistically (Vyncke & van Gorp, 2018). Those afflicted with mental health disorders can act in ways maladaptive to their social environments, ushering in and inviting various forms of social and peer rejection, and possibly reinforcing stigmatic behavior. Helping professionals have implemented self-reported screening tests at doctor’s offices and other clinics to try and find more individuals who have mental illness.
Most significant of these efforts would likely be national depression screening day, held annually during mental health awareness week in October (Special Initiatives). These mental health screening are intended to decrease stigma, and increase treatment for those in need. There have also been various treatment methods introduced into psychotherapy to help individuals navigate interpersonal and social problems in their lives (Huggett et al. 2018).
This problem deserves continued public attention and resources because depression and other mental illness cost the U.S. billions of dollars in lost work hours as well as intense psychological suffering that does untold damage to interpersonal relationships, thereby effecting untold amounts of others emotional reserves and energy levels (Stewart, 2003).
Further thought into shame as a barrier to self-disclosure and seeking mental health help should be considered by researchers to warrant increased resources for helping reduce stigma and helping at risk individuals with mental health (Tay, Alcock, & Scior, 2018). Since shame considered in the cultural context often encourages avoidance of treatment in mental health, there could possibly be more factors originating the problem of mental health stigma, and research into finding those factors may prove useful.
Social workers are already addressing this problem, specifically by treating the individuals already in their jurisdiction, and treating them well. It is especially important for professionals in the mental health field to stay adrift of mental health stigma, as an over exposure to this may influence treatment in negative ways. (Dir, Saldana, Chapman, & Aalsma, 2018). I personally would like to take a professional role as a licensed clinical social worker and work directly with clients in need of mental health services. I would aim to fight mental health stigma and attempt to counteract its effects by providing quality mental health services, as well as spreading the word to others who may need help.
Cite this Page
Solving the Problem of Depression and Mental Illness in People. (2023, Feb 12). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/solving-the-problem-of-depression-and-mental-illness-in-people/
Run a free check or have your essay done for you
