Stigma as a Barrier to Seeking Health Intervention: Mental Illness

Instructions

Psychological Essay

Word Limit: 1500-2000 words (excluding Reference list)

How does the stigma associated with mental illness act as a barrier to seeking out help and successful engagement with psychological treatments? Choose one strategy designed to minimize stigma and explain how this may improve the levels of successful treatment.

Answer Preview

When individuals with mental illnesses are subjected to overt and indirect stigma, they are likely to suffer additional psychological issues, such as self-esteem. Besides, when they are stigmatized, the patients may lose hope in life and may feel powerless, thereby undermining any efforts geared at empowering them. It is also possible that when the people living with mental illness feel hopeless due to stigma, they would not have the courage to seek the help that they need, be it medical or psychosocial.

Word Count: 2000