Mental illnesses are classified as a health condition that impacts upon a person’s thinking, feelings, and behaviour. These cause the individual distress and difficulty in daily functioning. Everyone has had some exposure to mental illness, but many have only a basic understanding of the topic. Therefore, prompting the discussion of whether society is insensitive to those suffering from mental illnesses.
Firstly, mental illnesses are treated as illegitimate when compared to a physical illness. Despite copious amount of evidence aimed to educate the population, many still don’t understand that being diagnosed with a mental illness is not something they can control (Holmes, 2016). Unfortunately, many reactions to these diagnosis’s are sceptical …show more content…
An Australian study found that approximately 1 in 4 people feel depression is a sign of personal weakness and 1 in 5 would not confide in anyone that they were diagnosed due to negative media portrayals. Nearly 2 in 3 people believed schizophrenia patients are unpredictable and dangerous. Shocking statistics considering that 1 in 4 people will develop a mental illness in their lifetime (Government of Western Australia: Mental Health Commission, 2016). The general public, especially young children as they are impressionable, hear negative portrayals of mental illnesses from the media and consequently, learn to fear the mentally ill. However, funding from the government, programs and services have been created that are dedicated to integrating the mentally ill into society. The national expenditure on mental health related services during 2013-2014 is estimated at over $8 billion dollars. To help struggling individuals, the national expenditure per person increased from $321 in 2009-2010 to $344, equating to a small but much needed increase of 1.8% (Mental Health Services in Australia, …show more content…
Today, we are still bombarding with negative stereotypes and reward children for participating in them, therefore, it is absolutely clear that society is insensitive to mental
Firstly, mental illnesses are treated as illegitimate when compared to a physical illness. Despite copious amount of evidence aimed to educate the population, many still don’t understand that being diagnosed with a mental illness is not something they can control (Holmes, 2016). Unfortunately, many reactions to these diagnosis’s are sceptical …show more content…
An Australian study found that approximately 1 in 4 people feel depression is a sign of personal weakness and 1 in 5 would not confide in anyone that they were diagnosed due to negative media portrayals. Nearly 2 in 3 people believed schizophrenia patients are unpredictable and dangerous. Shocking statistics considering that 1 in 4 people will develop a mental illness in their lifetime (Government of Western Australia: Mental Health Commission, 2016). The general public, especially young children as they are impressionable, hear negative portrayals of mental illnesses from the media and consequently, learn to fear the mentally ill. However, funding from the government, programs and services have been created that are dedicated to integrating the mentally ill into society. The national expenditure on mental health related services during 2013-2014 is estimated at over $8 billion dollars. To help struggling individuals, the national expenditure per person increased from $321 in 2009-2010 to $344, equating to a small but much needed increase of 1.8% (Mental Health Services in Australia, …show more content…
Today, we are still bombarding with negative stereotypes and reward children for participating in them, therefore, it is absolutely clear that society is insensitive to mental