There are several manifestations of mental health stigma, each of which can have severe consequences for people living with mental illness. This reflective report will discuss a time when I witnessed the stigmatization of a loved one due to their mental illness and state of mind. One of my colleagues, whom I will call Jane because we worked together in a retail setting, had a nervous breakdown while at work. With the knowledge I have received in this course, I will reflect on how I and those around me reacted and how I might react differently to battle the stigma I witnessed.
I was working as an intern at a store when the incident occurred. The shop was crammed on a Saturday afternoon with customers. A few months into her employment with me, Jane suddenly began weeping and shivering uncontrollably. Some of the other workers and the customers saw her acting this way and started looking at each other and whispering. Not wasting any time, I went straight to her to check on how she was doing and learn more about what had happened. She tried to explain, but she was stumbling over her words, so I sent her to the break room so that she could collect herself.
Later on, I found out that Jane was in such a bad mood because she had just recently been diagnosed with a mental disorder, depression. She had been battling with symptoms for quite some time, but owing to the stigma associated with mental health, she was afraid to seek help. She felt humiliated and isolated, and she was terrified of the responses her coworkers and friends might give if they learned the truth. She was unable to contain her sobbing and trembling as a direct result of the symptoms of her mental illness, which included her anxiety about being judged and rejected (Mannarini & Rossi, 2019). The diagnosis was unexpected and challenging for her to comprehend and accept, and it harmed her mental and emotional health.
Throughout this episode, the stigma of talking about or seeking help for mental health issues was displayed in various ways. First, there was a severe deficiency in knowledge and understanding of mental health issues among employees and clients (Mannarini & Rossi, 2019). Most of them did not understand what was happening and did not know what to do. It did not help that they were staring at each other and whispering, which added to Jane’s unease. Second, her friends and family did not correctly address Jane’s mental health. Some of the company’s clients and employees did not seem to care about her distress or offer assistance. That only added to her sense of isolation and humiliation. There was reluctance to disclose or discuss the occurrence openly out of fear of discrimination and dire repercussions (Mannarini & Rossi, 2019). This led to a lack of coordination and encouragement from upper management.
Self-stigma, an internalized unfavorable attitude toward people with mental illness, and the associated feeling of shame about one’s mental illness can be shown in this scenario. Internalized discrimination is another name for self-stigma (Subu et al., 2021). The lack of education and understanding, the lack of support and sensitivity, and the fear of discrimination and negative consequences are all examples of the stigma connected with mental health and illness that were displayed in this episode (Subu et al., 2021). Each of these elements negatively impacted the individual who has first-hand experience with mental illness.
The encounter had a significant and long-lasting effect on Jane, the person with personal experience of mental illness. First and foremost, the event made her feel ashamed and embarrassed of herself, which was a negative emotional response (Mannarini & Rossi, 2019). Secondly, she had the impression that her coworkers and clients did not accept her mental health problem, and she had the impression that she was being judged and ostracized because of it. Thus, she had feelings of isolation and lack of support, which contributed to her distress.
The event had a detrimental effect on her sense of self-esteem and self-worth. She believed that her mental health issue was a liability and that she could not perform the duties associated with working in a retail store. As a result, she lacked motivation and self-confidence in her abilities. The incidence had a detrimental effect on her emotional and mental well-being. She had a worsening of her symptoms as a direct result of the incident, which caused her to experience increased stress and worry (Mannarini & Rossi, 2019). She experienced increased feelings of anxiety and depression, and she had trouble sleeping, all of which contributed to a decline in her general well-being.
Lastly, the occurrence made it more difficult for her to maintain employment. Due to her coworkers’ lack of support and understanding, she concluded that she could not continue working in the retail shop. Due to this, she had to take some time off from her job, which negatively influenced her income and her capacity to maintain her financial security. Therefore, the event had a significant and long-lasting adverse effect on Jane’s mental and emotional well-being, as well as her self-esteem, performance at work, and financial security (Mannarini & Rossi, 2019). Her lack of access to help and understanding and her encounters with stigma and prejudice all contributed to her anguish and made it more challenging for her to take care of her mental health condition.
When I was there with Jane and saw what had happened, my initial reactions were shock and bewilderment. It was beyond my comprehension as to why her coworkers and customers were treating her in such a derogatory and condescending manner without minding her feelings. Due to their lack of support and comprehension, I found myself experiencing feelings of rage and irritation toward them. In addition, I experienced feelings of regret and shame because I had not defended Jane and had not fought against the stigma being communicated. I realized that I had been ignorant that the acts I took, or the lack thereof, may affect her overall health and well-being. I had the impression that I could have assisted her more meaningfully and that the lack of response on my part had contributed to the detrimental effects of the occurrence.
In addition, I was overcome with a sense of sorrow and compassion for Jane. I could tell that she was having a hard time and that the event substantially affected her mental and emotional well-being. I felt I ought to have been there for her and offered her the support and understanding she required at that time. In hindsight, I am aware that my response directly resulted from my ignorance of the stigma associated with mental illness and my lack of knowledge regarding it. I lacked the education necessary to detect and combat stigma and the knowledge to assist people with personal experiences with mental illness.
I concluded that my response was influenced by the prejudices and preconceptions I hold about myself. I was completely unaware of my biases and how they might have influenced how I behaved in certain situations. I had no idea that I was contributing to the stigma surrounding Jane in my manner, even if it had been inadvertent to do so. I was unaware of the need to recognize and combat the stigma associated with mental health and sickness and ensure that those with personal experience with mental illness receive the necessary support and understanding. I appreciate the importance of educating oneself on mental health and illness, recognizing and challenging one’s biases and assumptions, and being an ally to others with personal experience dealing with mental illness.
If I were to find myself in a scenario like this again in the future, I would take a more aggressive approach to tackle the stigma associated with mental illness and health in general that is being communicated. The course has educated me on the significance of identifying and rebutting stigmatizing attitudes and actions, not only for the benefit of the individual who is subjected to them (Mannarini & Rossi, 2019). There is a need to foster an environment that is more welcoming and encouraging for all individuals with mental illness (Mannarini & Rossi, 2019). One thing I would change is how I educate myself and others on the subject of mental illness and mental health. If I had a greater understanding of the topic, I would be more equipped to notice and confront attitudes and behaviors that contribute to stigma, and I would be able to do so more effectively. I would be able to provide correct information and assistance to the individual suffering the stigma, as well as to any other individuals who may be witnesses to the incident.
Participating actively in prosocial behavior is yet another strategy that I would recommend taking. Prosocial behaviors are voluntary actions mainly designed to assist or increase the well-being of another individual or group of individuals, they include caring, counseling, reassuring, assisting and safeguarding someone from potential damage (Hecht et al., 2022). Instead of keeping quiet in the past, as I have done, I would speak up and confront the stigmatizing attitudes. I would encourage others to do the same and work together to create an environment that is more welcoming and supportive of people of all backgrounds and identities. I would intentionally confront my preconceived notions, biases, and preconceptions by making a concerted effort to become more self-aware of them. The course has taught me that these biases can unconsciously influence my actions and reactions and that it is essential to be aware of them to be an effective ally to individuals who have lived experiences of mental ill-health (Mannarini & Rossi, 2019). The course has informed me that it is essential to be aware of these biases in order to be an effective ally to individuals who have lived experiences of mental illness.
References
Hecht, M., Kloß, A., & Bartsch, A. (2022). Stopping the stigma. How empathy and reflectiveness can help reduce mental health stigma. Media Psychology, 25(3), 367-386. Web.
Mannarini, S., & Rossi, A. (2019). Assessing mental illness stigma: A complex issue. Frontiers in Psychology, 9. Web.
Subu, M. A., Wati, D. F., Netrida, N., Priscilla, V., Dias, J. M., Abraham, M. S., Slewa-Younan, S., & Al-Yateem, N. (2021). Types of stigma experienced by patients with mental illness and mental health nurses in Indonesia: A qualitative content analysis. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 15(1). Web.