Although there is agreement on what ‘stigma’ is (a mark of disgrace or discredit that sets a person aside from others), definitions differ in the breadth of experiences they describe. Stigma, by definition, is a mark of disgrace or shame (Anon, 2007). It is the negative effect of a label (Hayward & Bright, 1997). For Corrigan & Penn (1999), stigma is another term for prejudice based on negative stereotyping
Stigma can have a bad impact on clients with long term mental illness and their families that they might feel ashamed, particularly when the illness produces behavior which is out of the ordinary and so obvious for others to see for example, talking to oneself. In view of this, stigma has a fatal effect on all aspects of the clients live as well as their families such they become reluctant to seek help, do not comply with the treatment. In addition it also forms a real barrier to optimal recovery, it causes distress, discrimination in housing, education and employment, economics burdens, increased feelings of hopelessness and low self esteem and confidence that leads to suicidal behavior. Family members may also feel lonely, have less social interactions with others in the community due to being ashamed and total social rejection, distress and violations of humans. In the ends, this leads to social exclusion (Sticley, 2005)
Stigma can be prevent and be reduce by thinking the positive image by:
1. Health promotion – talks workshop, seminars, advertisement, posters, post cards or letters (Herrman, 2001)
2. Laws and Policy of Mental Health Nursing needs to be enforces and improve in order for the clients to have a better access to Mental Health Services (Funk et al, 2004)
3. Involving government and non government organizations – conducting a seminar to convey correct information’s about Mental Health Illness to the public (Sticley, 2005)
4. Changing and improve attitudes of the Health care Professionals – increase the professional self-understanding about mental illness (Sadavoy et al, 2004)
5. Developing a new and appropriate of Mental Health Hospital – provides an excellent opportunity to clients who will use the service provided, valuing them and their carers (Wildgoose et al, 2005)
Stigma can be prevent and be reduce by thinking the positive image by:
1. Health promotion – talks workshop, seminars, advertisement, posters, post cards or letters (Herrman, 2001)
2. Laws and Policy of Mental Health Nursing needs to be enforces and improve in order for the clients to have a better access to Mental Health Services (Funk et al, 2004)
3. Involving government and non government organizations – conducting a seminar to convey correct information’s about Mental Health Illness to the public (Sticley, 2005)
4. Changing and improve attitudes of the Health care Professionals – increase the professional self-understanding about mental illness (Sadavoy et al, 2004)
5. Developing a new and appropriate of Mental Health Hospital – provides an excellent opportunity to clients who will use the service provided, valuing them and their carers (Wildgoose et al, 2005)
1 comment:
quiet an informative and positive approach so everybody has sense and share the impact of stigma to especially these client with mental illness and the other vulnerable groups. Love to read and see more constructive comments on this issue......just keep our momentum going....
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