The discrimination of the mentally ill has been an issue since the 1800’s. Historically, the treatment of mentally ill persons was deplorable. They were often abused and isolated in mental hospitals, thus being treated as less human. Although the mentally ill no longer receive such treatment today, the stigma still remains in today’s society. The major stakeholders in this issue are as follows: medical professionals, educators and their administrators, and the employers and employees of mentally ill persons. There is a stark dichotomy in the attitudes of others toward mental illness. There are those who validate mental illness, agreeing that it is a true medical condition that one cannot simply “get over.” Rather, this group would agree that
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Pages 4-5 of my researched argument discuss this topic. I wrote, “Others [opponents of validating mental illness] may claim that one simply creates their mental illness as a way to create a particular persona or to draw attention to themselves. The majority of mental illness cases are valid, however, many of which can be attributed largely to biological origin, and thus out of the control of the individual.” This statement recognizes this counterargument, which is incredibly common amongst people, especially those who are naïve to the subject matter. This fairly represents a possible audience objection. I offer a rebuttal to this claim, however, by stating that mental illness is a medical condition. My researched argument continues, “According to Thomas Insel, the former director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Insel asserts, ‘…mental disorders appear to be disorders of brain circuits.’ Further, the Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience states, ‘…many mental illnesses derive their vulnerability from underlying biological variations.’” These statements from credentialed experts uphold my argument, while remaining respectful toward the audience. The word choice employed in the aforementioned quotations including, “many mental illnesses” and “appear to be disorders of brain circuits” (emphasis added) allow the argued point to come off in a softer, more respectful tone. Word like “many” and “appear” are also less encompassing, which prevents from losing the attention and respect of the audience
Pages 4-5 of my researched argument discuss this topic. I wrote, “Others [opponents of validating mental illness] may claim that one simply creates their mental illness as a way to create a particular persona or to draw attention to themselves. The majority of mental illness cases are valid, however, many of which can be attributed largely to biological origin, and thus out of the control of the individual.” This statement recognizes this counterargument, which is incredibly common amongst people, especially those who are naïve to the subject matter. This fairly represents a possible audience objection. I offer a rebuttal to this claim, however, by stating that mental illness is a medical condition. My researched argument continues, “According to Thomas Insel, the former director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Insel asserts, ‘…mental disorders appear to be disorders of brain circuits.’ Further, the Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience states, ‘…many mental illnesses derive their vulnerability from underlying biological variations.’” These statements from credentialed experts uphold my argument, while remaining respectful toward the audience. The word choice employed in the aforementioned quotations including, “many mental illnesses” and “appear to be disorders of brain circuits” (emphasis added) allow the argued point to come off in a softer, more respectful tone. Word like “many” and “appear” are also less encompassing, which prevents from losing the attention and respect of the audience