Mental Illness And Suicide Analysis

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As a major issue in todays society, mental illnesses pose serious problems to those suffering with the illness and the people around them.They are affected not only by the debilitating problem that is the illness in itself, but they are also presented with the major problem of not being fully understood. This is bought on by the stereotypes and stigmas associated with mental illness, and as a result a lack of general understanding and overall negative sentiment towards the issue. This presents sufferers with long list of problems, as not only are they battling their own minds, but the ignorant and unaware minds of others around them, which may act as a hindrance to things such as accessing support.

With World Mental Health Day held on the
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It comments that this recent death, along with suicides of many other celebrities such as Simone Battle, may mean it is finally time to lift the taboo of the topic of mental illness, and raise awareness of its prominence in society and serious consequences associated with it (Attwood, 2014). Suicide not only affects the individual, but includes many repercussions for those around them (Attwood, 2014). It is shocking to think that the death of a famous celebrity was needed to finally bring people’s attention to the seriousness of mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety, but overall this article is taking a positive approach in identifying that the sentiment towards mental illness may finally be changing for the better. This approach to changing the stigma of mental illness is further supported in the YouTube clip Celebrities on Mental Health Awareness, in which famous celebrities such as Demi Lovato and Vinny Guadagnino are working as advocates to share the message that mental illness can affect anyone, and is something that needs to be spoken about, not hidden (Lovato, …show more content…
It presents a highly supported argument that states stigmas have a very severe negative impact on sufferers, as it provides the challenge of prejudice and discrimination that leads to unemployment, over representation in correctional facilities, withholding from getting support and help, and the personal belief that they are weak for having such an illness. (Corrigan & Watson, 2002) The article explores the concepts of stereotypes being ‘social’ as they are collectively agreed upon in society, as well as self-stigma, in which an individual experiences high levels of low self esteem due to the stigmatisation of their illness, resulting in anger at others and themselves (Corrigan & Watson 2002). As one the of the negative and severe impacts of stereotypes regarding mental illness, self stigma is also referred to in the book Understanding Mental Illness by Justin Healey (2010). Both texts explain the relationship between stigmas and prejudice and discrimination as a result of it, and explain that it effects a sufferer’s external life, yet also their personal feelings and family and friends around them (Corrigan & Watson, 2002, Healey, 2010). This is a result of reluctance to get needed support, being

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