Reflection: Stigma and Mental Health

I believe the most significant reason there is such a large stigma surrounding mental illness is because symptoms of mental illness do not always present physically. When mental illness symptoms do present physically, such as lethargy and poor hygiene, it may indicate that the patient’s mental illness has progressed significantly without treatment. Some other factors that I feel contribute to self-stigma are the biases often placed on mental illness. Stereotypes such as being “crazy” or “loony” because a person has a mental illness are untrue and damaging. It creates fear surrounding mental illness and can make others feel as though they cannot speak about their own mental illness. This can lead to neglect of a mental illness by a patient because they feel embarrassed or afraid. Historically, people with mental illness haven’t received fair treatment, and their rights have been diminished. This makes it extremely difficult for people with mental illness today to receive treatment. Although I do feel that my generation has a better outlook on mental illnesses, this is not necessarily true for other generations. We still have a lot of work to do as a society to break down the public stigma on mental illness.

            Culture affects a person’s viewpoint on the world and medical care. This is because culture affects a person’s core beliefs, morals, and character. It’s crucial for nurses to understand cultures that differ from their own so they can provide the best care possible. Religion can be very valuable when a patient is ill because it provides comfort and hope. Religion and faith can be a very large component of life for a patient, which is why it can help a patient develop a positive outlook when they’re ill. Many religious beliefs can also heavily influence decisions made by the patient. For example, people from certain cultures may choose to refuse certain medical care such as blood transfusions. This may present as an ethical dilemma for nurses because it seems as though the patient is refusing necessary treatment, but to the patient they are simply practicing their religion. Lastly, it is important for nurses to recognize and respect religious practices from other cultures. Spiritual practices are key to many people’s overall wellness and should be treated as such.