Summary

The web content discusses the stigmatization of mental illness, particularly how media reports and societal perceptions associate it with violence, and advocates for a change in narrative to dispel this misconception.

Abstract

The article "Unbelievable How People Feast on the Stigma of Mental Illness" addresses the prevalent prejudice against individuals with mental health issues. It critiques the tendency of the media to perpetuate a narrative that portrays mentally ill people as dangerous, especially following violent incidents. The author points out that such portrayals undermine the efforts to destigmatize mental illness. The piece draws attention to the fact that the vast majority of violent crimes are committed by individuals without mental illness, highlighting that alcohol abuse, a legal substance, contributes significantly to violent incidents. The author also recounts personal experiences of discrimination due to mental illness and cites statistics and studies to emphasize the widespread nature of mental disorders and the need for a more accurate representation of their impact. The article concludes with a call to end the stigma surrounding mental illness and to instead focus on the truth about mental health conditions, stressing that those with mental illness are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.

Opinions

The author believes that media reporting often reinforces a cognitive bias linking terrorism to Islam, which is harmful and inaccurate.
Mental illness is unfairly associated with violence, an association that is not only stigmatizing but also factually incorrect, given that most violent crimes are committed by individuals without a history of mental health problems.
The focus on mental illness in crime reporting is disproportionate and contributes to the stigma, while other factors such

Unbelievable How People Feast on the Stigma of Mental Illness

A convenient truth after a stabbing spree

On 3 January French police shot dead a man near Paris after he went on a rampage with a knife in a park, killing one person and wounding two more.

Before I move on to the main theme of this story, I want to ask — what were your first thoughts on reading that paragraph?

My immediate reaction was the perpetrator was a terrorist.

Was that yours too?

The media reinforce prejudice

I cannot deny that ISIS came to mind. Though I attest I do not equate Islam with terrorism.

We’ve dined on that narrative too often for it not to infiltrate our cognitive bias. I’m no innocent.

“Religious documents including a copy of the Koran were found among the man’s belongings, but there was no evidence he had been influenced by radical Islamists.”

That statement clears the air yet I question if it was necessary.

What if he were carrying a Bible or the Torah or Vedic scriptures? Does the reporter include that information or discard it as irrelevant?

Mental health is not exempt from prejudice either.

What triggered my anger?

This comment by a spokesman for the prosecutors lit my fire:

“The attacker had a history of mental illness, had been admitted to hospital a few months ago, and was undergoing a course of psychiatric treatment.”

After working our butts off to end the stigma, here is a report sending a strong message that mentally ill people are dangerous.

The article doesn’t specify his ailment but I guarantee many readers

BE AFRAID

Must we continue to hide?

When I next go shopping, I should roam around the mall and waylay strangers announcing

“I’m mentally ill.”

Will they send a SWOT team to disarm me? Or flee screaming in panic?

My arms don’t pack a punch nor am I brandishing a knife or gun.

Are handbags dangerous?

I lost a lucrative full-time job opportunity 20 years ago because the boss discovered I’d spent seven weeks in a psychiatric clinic before joining the company as a part-timer. In the blink of any eye they disowned and discharged me.

You can read the story here:

The Consequences of Revealing my Mental Illness

How being diagnosed played havoc with my career

medium.com

Mental health diagnoses cover a wide range of conditions that affect mood, thinking and behavior. Only extreme cases, such as psychotic or personality disorders, may precipitate violence.

Except for those who have experienced or been in contact with people with a psychological disorder, surveys of the general population in Canada, the US, Europe and elsewhere show the popular perception is mental illness and violence are inseparable.

Stop spreading this pack of lies.

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” — Kahlil Gibran

Time for a Divorce

Let’s dissolve this bitter marriage — it won’t hurt anyone; separate truth and fiction; chuck this load of rubbish in the garbage where it belongs.

In October 2019, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported

“Mental or neurological disorders will affect one in four people at some point in their lives. Around 450 million people currently suffer from such conditions, placing mental disorders among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide.”

Please stop stereotyping and blaming us for the violence in the world.

“Not until we are lost, do we begin to understand ourselves.” — Henry David Thoreau

We’re too busy making peace with ourselves; gentle souls figuring out who we are and learning to love and accept ourselves. Many people have no access to health care and are more likely to be victims than generators of violence.

We are more of a danger to ourselves than to others.

Starve the stigma

No more convenience foods of falsehoods for the befuddled masses to feast on.

I chose these lyrics by Shonelle from the song Impossible. They relate to a broken heart, but I’ve adopted them to break the spell:

“Shout it out from the rooftops Write it on the skyline”

WE ARE NOT DANGEROUS!

Why not put that in your headline next time?

Thank you for reading and spreading the truth.