Mental Health: How can we improve awareness of mental health issues in society?

How can we improve awareness of mental health issues in society?There has been some recent interest in this kind of issue, and I wondered just how we can help change attitudes to mental illness? I don't know how it is in other societies, but in my experience there tends to be a conflation of mental disorders. Some people seem to think that fairly minor disorders essentially spell a lifetime of homicidal violence form that person. Similarly, there is a real stigma involved; if mental illness is a problem for Western health professionals then surely it can't be helped by creating an atmosphere of stigma. After all, how can we treat mental illness when people are ashamed to admit to having such problems?

Anyway, I was wondering what you thought. Is education the answer? Legislation? What?

Thanks for reading.

Answer by zen2bop
Its a difficult problem since people can't see the symptoms of mental illness as they do physical problems and their symptoms. Acknowledging that is the essential first step we must deal with to move forward in the progress of helping mentally ill people.

Answer by Bad Influence
I think we are already raising awareness. Changing people's opinions is a slow process, especially when the opinion is engrained or it's something they fear or don't understand. It wasn't so long ago that people who suffered the same things we question here, were thrown into institutions, drugged into stupors, and left warehoused until they died.

Certainly things could be better, but I think it's important to recognize the progress we've already made. Just like any stigma or prejudice, we have a long road ahead of us. I believe things like this section of yahoo! Answers is a good thing. People share answers, but they also enlighten those who might not understand the intricacies, and the truth that mental illness does not always equal "crazy", "dangerous" or "hopeless".

I think the progress in the scientific and medical fields are also helping our case. Much more is known now than say even 30 yrs ago. No longer are we doing such horrendous treatments as lobotomies, and thermal shock... and even though electroshock is still being used, it is much less horrible and much more humane than before. These disorders are managed much better and results are amazing.

I truly doubt the efficacy of legislation helping much. We've tried to legislate away prejudice of many forms and it simply doesn't work. I think education, awareness, and further study and treatment practices are the only hope.

Answer by LORNA DOONE
Many exciting stigma reducing and positive changes are happening in Mental Health in MA. Re Anti-Stigma- Their is an organization I will list below that feature posters, info. on famous people in history with mental illness i.e. Abe Lincoln, Mozart etc. Peers (people with lived experience of mental illness) are now getting jobs in M.H. field. By, being open about their diagnosis and a valued part of organizations I think this will dispel much of the stigma. Legislatively we are constantly bringing M.H. issues to the statehouse.

Add your own answer in the comments! Access information and advice on a wide range of mental health issues including conditions and disorders including stress and depression, therapy

---

Orignal From: Mental Health: How can we improve awareness of mental health issues in society?