Redefining "Mental Illness"
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Redefining "Mental Illness"

"Crazy," "unstable," "disturbed."

174
Redefining "Mental Illness"
Pixabay

"What sorts of words or phrases might you use to describe someone who experiences mental health problems?" This was a question asked to a group of fourteen-year-olds in England for a study that intended to analyze the correlation between stigma, treatment avoidance, and how they referred to people with mental illness. They gave wide-ranging, emotionally-charged and negative terms such as "disturbed," "crazy," "insane," and "freak."

This study was conducted in 2007. There have been many efforts to raise awareness and reduce stigmas associated with mental illness, but we still have a long way to go. As part of a social construction project, my groupmates and I asked students on our campus to fill out surveys regarding mental illness. The questions regarded their own mental illness history, whether or not they knew a family member who suffered, and what terms they associated with mental illness.

We found that some of the same words were written as in the 2007 study: "crazy," "unstable," "disturbed."

Although a few students also included words such as "strength" and "recovery," a majority of the surveys showed that there is still a stigma that exists around people with mental illnesses.

According to a manuscript published by Dr. Brian K. Ahmedani in 2011, "labeling develops as a result of a social selection process to determine which differences matter in society." These labels connect a person or group to undesirable stereotypes which can be stereotyped.

We also focused on how mental illness is misrepresented in the media. According to an article published in the Official Journal of the WPA in 2002, media analyses of film and print identified three main misconceptions about mental illness: 1) mentally ill individuals should be feared because they are homicidal maniacs, 2) these individuals have a child like view of the world and cannot care for themselves or 3) these individuals are responsible for their illness because they have weak character.

This information correlated with studies that showed the public held stigmatizing attitudes about those with mental illness. Although this research was done over ten years ago, through our own research we found that there are still many misleading aspects to characters that are portrayed to suffer from a mental illness.

My group and I reached out to students on campus in an attempt to spread this knowledge and promote some change in the way we view mental illness. We talked with a few students and showed them words that stigmatize and trivialize mental illness, then offered words that captured a more uplifting or realistic idea of it.

We put together a short video that may be viewed here.

Help us spark conversation in the community about the reality of mental illness so that those who suffer do not feel isolated and alone.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

44471
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

27996
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

952736
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

153194
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments