TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Nurturing hope for mental health recovery

Combating stigma so people can reach out for help is one thing, but educating the public about mental health is quite another story.

Adhitya S Ramadianto (The Jakarta Post)
Premium
Jakarta
Wed, November 22, 2017

Share This Article

Change Size

Nurturing hope for mental health recovery People with mental illness have as much chance as any other person to live meaningful lives. (Shutterstock/File)

T

he recent World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10 was an appropriate reminder that eradicating stigma is still an unfinished task in improving the lives of people with mental illness.

In recent years we have seen a welcome improvement in mental-health awareness. Driven by the high prevalence of mentalhealth issues worldwide and its vast impact on public health, stakeholders are organizing to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental-health services so that people can access the help they need. Social campaigns have been launched in many parts of the world, and public figures openly talk about their mentalhealth struggles as a reminder that it can happen to anyone.

However, one year into my psychiatric residency training, I realize we still have much work to do. Combating stigma so people can reach out for help is one thing, but educating the public about mental health is quite another story.

One of the most persistent stigmas is that people struggling with mental illnesses are “lost causes” who will not improve much despite the best efforts. This stigma can be partly traced to the chronic and deteriorating course of mental illness, especially serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Furthermore, the stigma can rear its ugly head in many ways.

Most of us are familiar with “social stigma,” where community members, including family and friends, retain negative stereotypes about people with mental illness and act accordingly. When family members view a patient as “permanently defective”, they think the mental condition will only worsen, so they make little, if any, effort in supporting the patient. Reports of people with mental illnesses being shackled and denied basic needs are not uncommon here.

When institutionalized in public policy, stigma perpetuates social exclusion and discrimination against people with mental-health problems. For example, mentalhealth care is generally underfunded compared to other types of health care, and rehabilitation services to help patients get back on their feet are scarce. Also, people with a history of mental illness are still discriminated against when seeking employment.

Less discussed but just as dangerous is self-stigma. As people struggling with mental illness become aware of how they are considered “lost causes,” they may unconsciously absorb those stereotypes, eventually influencing their thoughts and behavior.

to Read Full Story

  • Unlimited access to our web and app content
  • e-Post daily digital newspaper
  • No advertisements, no interruptions
  • Privileged access to our events and programs
  • Subscription to our newsletters
or

Purchase access to this article for

We accept

TJP - Visa
TJP - Mastercard
TJP - GoPay

Redirecting you to payment page

Pay per article

Nurturing hope for mental health recovery

Rp 29,000 / article

1
Create your free account
By proceeding, you consent to the revised Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.
Already have an account?

2
  • Palmerat Barat No. 142-143
  • Central Jakarta
  • DKI Jakarta
  • Indonesia
  • 10270
  • +6283816779933
2
Total Rp 29,000
{

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.