Essay On Social Injustice

Social Justice is the equality of the people in relation to their society, the way human rights are practiced and perceptible at every level of society. A social injustice, is when those rights, are taken away, questioned or neglected. One social injustice frequently overlooked, is the stigmatization of mental illness. One in four people, in the world, will be diagnosed with a mental illness, and 450 million people, worldwide, presently suffer from a mental illness, these numbers by themselves are quite staggering, however there is a number far more concerning (World Health Organization, Geneva, 2011). Roughly two thirds of the before mentioned number, do not seek any help for their mental illness (World Health Organization, Geneva, 2011). The reason so many …show more content…
The first step in ending the social injustice that is stigmatizing mental illness is to be willing to talk about it, so many people struggle silently with mental illness and are afraid to even speak about it. Creating a safe environment crushes self-stigma and social stigma. When both parties are aware of the truth of mental illness they will both be willing to take a step forward in changing the stereotype. Approach the conversation about mental illness open mindedly and with eagerness to learn about individual struggles. Avoid using stereotypical language and listen. Remember that a mental illness does not define a human being and their characteristics. Educate students and society on mental illness, if someone is stereotyping and judging, speak up. Learn to be conscious of the language used towards the mentally ill, negative connotations are relevant because they are used. Practice empathy and compassion to those around you struggling, creating a safe environment to seek help will help break down social