Discrimination On Mental Illnesses

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Introduction
Mental illnesses are some of the least publicly accept illnesses being widely demonized by those who do not understand them. In the past those afflicted with mental illness locked up and hidden away from the public; patients at psychiatric hospitals were treated worst than animals. People with mental illnesses often do not receive the support that those with physical illnesses receive because their afflictions are not externally apparent. There are some who choose to believe that people with mental illnesses are faking and simply just want the attention or that these illnesses can be cured by nothing more than a simple change of minded. Because of society harsh views many individuals with mental illnesses feel ashamed of them self,
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Sweeney (2014) conducted research in to how stigmatizing those with mental illnesses may worsen the effects of their illness. The stigma associated with mental illnesses may increases the difficulty in treating. Discrimination may not only reduce the effectiveness of treatment but can also in some case reverse whatever work has been done to manage mental illness. When patients with mental illnesses are treated in a supportive environment there is a noticeable improvement its effectiveness. Stress relating to discrimination due to mental illness also has effects outside of such as preventing people from participating with the world around them and generally withdrawing from the public. Because of not only the stress but, cultural attitudes as well many employers are not as keen on working with those living with mental illness. Holding a job can help to reduce stress but in some cases discrimination leads to unemployment. Being unemployed can cause major stress worsening the effects of a person’s mental illness leading to a down turn in quality of …show more content…
Unemployment rates for people with mental illnesses are higher than that of the general populous. Unemployment leads to series of negative consequences which are especially threatening to the mentally ill. For many small businesses the primary concern with hiring someone with a mental illness is that they may not be capable of keeping up with the demands of their given position. Some businesses consider how well received an employee with a mental illness may be not only amongst coworkers but also their clientele. Some of the negative beliefs held by employers about hiring person with a mental illness are that they are simply a hassle; require things like constant supervision and, making those around them uncomfortable. Small businesses that encourage the hiring of employees with mental illnesses can still show reluctance to hire them. Usually these hiring practices are because it is difficult to find someone who is a good fit or the job or, because the employer has little to no experience in dealing with the mentally ill. There are cases where a hiring business turns away prospective employed with mental illnesses because of stereotypes formed from inexperience. Discrimination can keep even the most qualified person form holding a job just simply because they have an illness which they could not stop from having in the first

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