Tuesday Talks is a series aimed at discussing mental health in the Caribbean, with a focus on Trinidad and Tobago. The Alive Child and Family Counselling Centre hopes that through these posts, people can get a better understanding of what mental health and mental illness is, and that cultural taboos and stereotypes in the Caribbean region can begin to change as we strive towards developing a more accurate psychological perspective.
To begin this series, our first topic is stigma.
What is it?
Social stigma is the extreme disapproval of a person or group due to the perception that they are different from other members of society. In the context of mental health, stigma occurs when society is unaccepting of persons who have been diagnosed with mental health issues. Many times, mental health stigma extends beyond the diagnosed individual and affects the lives of the person's family and friends.
If, for example, someone is diagnosed with schizophrenia, they may be outcast by their neighbours and colleagues who fear 'catching' the problem. Their loved ones, similarly, may also be ostracised as people may think that there is something 'wrong' with the family that has caused such a diagnosis.
What happens?
This is a common occurence, unfortunately. Everyday, people make assumptions that mental illness is contagious, or that those afflicted are social deviants. They shun and scorn those suffering and often spread gossip, warning others to stay away because so-and-so "went mad". Sometimes, particularly in the Caribbean, people may attribute mental illness to superstitions such as demonic or spiritual possession, 'maljo', Obeah, or a curse from the devil or a buck.
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| Despite what you might have heard, the full moon is not responsible for unusual behaviours commonly attributed to mental health concerns. Photo by Ian Uhlir |
It is especially unfortunate when families stigmatise their own members who have been diagnosed with mental health concerns. In this case, a person loses the core support system he or she has relied on for their whole life. Facing this scorn is difficult for the person diagnosed. Not only are they dealing with the challenge of confronting their mental health issues, but they no longer have people willing to support them through their difficult time. Those that they would have turned to no longer want to be associated with them, and loved ones now become an added source of suffering.
How can we help?
It is easy to see that the main cause of stigma is a lack of understanding about mental health and its related problems. That being said, the best way to curb stigma is through awareness and education. While it would be great if everyone could do a course in psychology to get a deeper understanding of the issues, we know that it's not always practical or feasible. Instead, social outreach initiatives like this blog, and awareness days like World Mental Health Day are good ways of sharing facts and dispelling myths about mental illness. Additionally, government bodies often have public awarness campaigns to educate the population on pertinent issues.
In the age of technology that we live in, it is also easy to learn about mental health on the internet. General interest sites like Wikipedia's Psychology Portal and WebMD's Mental Health page are good for getting a broad overview of the topic, but don't forget to check the reference section on each page for links to more reliable sources of information.
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| Comedian Ruby Wax discusses mental health stigma in her TED Talk. |
Keep in mind that mental illness is like any other illness. Similar to diabetes or high blood pressure, mental illness has a cause that originates in the body. It is not a result of imagination or a way of seeking attention, but an actual biological problem that can cause people great distress.
Learning about different mental challenges isn't the only way to help eradicate the problem of stigma. It's also just as important to reach out to those who have been stigmatised and show them that they have your understanding. Persons facing both stigma and mental health difficulties can feel alone and unloved, so offering a non-judgemental ear and some kind and genuine words of support can go a long way. When people feel supported, it becomes easier for them to face their difficulties and even overcome them.
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Thanks for the information. Very clear! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the feedback! We really appreciate it.
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