By Sydney Selman
One considerable barrier that is currently handicapping the United States’ social progression is the way in which it’s citizens regard those with mental illnesses. Attitudes that view symptoms of psychopathology as aggressive and distressing are prevalent in most societies, including our own. The mindsets of people who view those struggling with mental illness as incompetent and hostile stems from our own culture.
Culture plays a vital role in how society views mental illness. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), culture may be indicative of, “whether or not they seek help, what type of help they seek, what coping styles and supports they have, what treatments might work and more.”
Currently, the cultural representation of mental illness in the U.S. is lacking and skewed at best. The U.S.’s diverse population has been done an injustice by society’s lack of accurate cultural differences and representation.
American society prides itself on diversity and equal representation. However, more often than not, television and film paint an inaccurate reflection of said diversity. Instead, the media homogenizes and misrepresents the lives of those who live with mental illnesses. Media distortions, such as neurotic disorders, frequently foster stigma and even discrimination towards these individuals. In films and on television, the portrayal of mental illness is inaccurate, and perpetuates stigmatization and negative stereotypes of those who struggle with mental illness.
Films such as, Psycho, directed by, Alfred Hitchcock, are a prime example of how those with mental illnesses are stereotyped as dangerous to the public. This movie is highly relevant because, for many Americans, the media–whether it be scripted television or broadcast news is the primary source of information regarding mental illness.
People often don’t understand mental illness, or when they do, it’s not properly talked about in our various social institutions. In fact, it seems to be looked down upon. One study reports that 37 percent of employers interviewed would not employ an individual with schizophrenia, and another 23.4 percent would not employ an individual with depression. It seems that mental illness is brushed off and considered unfavorable in most cases. In one study, 45.1 percent of individual’s surveys, stated that they would not want an individual with mental illness such as schizophrenia marrying into their family. Similarly, 28.2 percent would not want an individual with depression marrying into their family.
I can see where these people are coming from. Mental illness does truthfully affect a family as a whole. However, this seems to indicate that within families, mental illness is clearly talked about and perceived negatively. I for one have seen how those with mental illness are blamed for their illness, and taught to conceal their issues. We know that such discrimination can play out in the small and daily interactions between people. Minor instances of discrimination or inequality that are experienced repeatedly, build up to compound a person’s understanding of what is appropriate to discriminate against.
Is the stigma of mental health worth jeopardizing the lives of your family and friends who live with it?
