Reflections on the Stigma of Mental Illness and Its Impact on Society

Since mental health has become more openly discussed, the stigma has indeed reduced. However, new dangers emerge when individuals self-identify as 'ill' without a professional diagnosis, potentially limiting their opportunities unnecessarily.

The Struggle with Stigma in My Life

As someone living in British Columbia, a place with strong human rights protections, including for the mentally ill, my personal experience with stigma is profound. Recently, while using a taxi service, I encountered a situation where the driver refused to give my change, a situation that has never happened before with that company. This set against my background as a person with schizophrenia, OCD, and adult-onset Tourette Syndrome, highlights how individuals with mental health conditions must navigate situations where these conditions disrupt their routines and privacy.

Stigmatization in Asian Cultures

It is especially alarming to note that many Asians have a negative view of mental illness, resulting in behaviors like locking mentally ill relatives in their basements and calling the police when they attempt to escape. These actions often lead to tragic endings, such as people being shot dead. My own experience with a long-term disability pension at 54 underscores the severity of living with these conditions.

Is It Possible to Reduce the Stigma of Mental Health?

Recent discussions on the reduction of mental health stigma highlight the complexities involved in addressing societal attitudes. A poignant quote from psychiatrist Richard Bentall asserts, 'We seem to have inherited along with its two or three blessings the manifold curse of psychoanalysis: the assumption that the grounds of discontent, anger, rage, despair - 'unhappiness' in general - reside within the sufferer rather than outside of him.' This underlines the deep-rooted nature of the issue.

It is often argued that reducing stigma is crucial for improving mental health outcomes. However, the notion of reducing stigma is fundamentally flawed. The very act of labeling people as 'mentally ill' is a tool used to motivate individuals to behave more 'normally,' in alignment with societal expectations. As society values normality as the ideal, it uses stigma to enforce compliance. This is not merely an individual issue; it is a societal one that influences how we treat others and ourselves.

The Role of Psychologists and Psychiatrists

Psychologists and psychiatrists play a crucial role in managing and reducing stigma. Their primary function is to influence behavior, aligning individuals with what is deemed socially acceptable. 'Treatment' often involves medication to subdue all behavior, not just aberrant ones, as it is seen as a successful resolution when individuals can no longer behave in ways that are disruptive to others. This aligns with the societal belief that normality is the ideal way to be human.

The broader social context is critical. The stigma of mental illness is deeply intertwined with societal values, such as competition, wealth, and status. Until these values are challenged and accepted diversity in human behavior is embraced, it is unlikely that stigma will fully disappear. Only then can we truly value individuals beyond their compliant behavior to align with societal norms.