Stigma is a mark of attitude of society that sets a person as part of a group, by placing a label that is seen as a stereotype, such as an illness, a deformity, a color, a nationality, a religion, etc. Stigma creates prejudgments and discrimination. This HAS TO STOP!
Let's place stigma aside and pretend for a minute that we all communicate with one another with honestly, freedom and free of judgments... just for a brief moment, let's try and see what happens...
Mental illness comes in different forms, shapes and severity. It may be someone whom you've known for years, or it may be someone you've crossed path with who seemed perfectly "normal", but yet, how do we define "normal"? They may be dealing with a severe mental illness, a transient depression or recently lived a traumatic event and was left marked by it. Perhaps they've come to accept it and now live with it everyday, or maybe they're struggling to get through it, who really knows... certainly not by us judging, and obviously not with stigma.
When it comes to this sensitive subject often stigma will stand in the way and stop someone from speaking out or obtaining the help they desperately need. We seem to be open to talk about all sorts of troubles and problems, but as soon as mental illness is mentioned everyone seems to shut down or point at one another. Though if the illness is related to a post-menopause or a post physical injury, for instance, only then it's Ok to talk about since the blame goes on a concrete "physical" phenomenon, whereas if someone is dealing or suffering from an anxiety disorder or panic attacks, it becomes unacceptable because there are no evident sources for their birth. Well, as far as they know someone with a mental illness should be in a wheel chair and be dependent of everyone. Idealistically the only phenomenon that should stand between the diagnosis and the patient is the ability for one to overcome the challenge, and not the misleading label.
When a person is stigmatized he or she is instantly labeled as diagnosis "A", which would restrict the patient from seeking any other possible treatments, or even get a slight chance at looking at other recovery or healing avenues.
Now, let's take a moment to look at some important facts.
Note: The following statistics are from a Canadian stand point and researches were conducted nationally (Canadian-wide only). Please also keep in mind that these stats are not live, and only includes Canadians who have been reported or identified, therefore these numbers today would likely be much higher (nothing was submitted on my behalf...).
People and Mental Illness
1 in 5 adult will suffer a mental disorder in their lifetime.
12% of the population will suffer from an anxiety disorder in their lifetime.
8% of the population will suffer from a major depression in their lifetime.
9% of men and 16% of women are affected by some type of mental illness.
43% of adults suffer from poor health due to stress.
18% of young adults aged of 15 – 24 have reported some type of mental illness or substance abuse problem.
Anxiety leads with 6.5% being the most common problem among children and youth.
Anxiety disorder and depression are the most common types of mental illnesses.
The highest rate of depression symptoms are under 20 years of age.
The highest rate of anxiety symptoms are between 20 – 29 years of age.
Types of anxiety disorders affecting the population:
- Specific Phobia: 6.2 – 8.0%
- Social Phobia: 6.7%
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: 1.8%
- Generalized Anxiety: 1.1%
- Panic Disorder: 0.7%
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: N/A
Homeless
86% of homeless people have had either a mental illness or a substance abuse diagnosis.
75% of homeless have a substance abuse problem.
Only 22% of homeless said that their illness was the reason they became homeless.
Employment and Mental Illness
1 in 3 adult either turned down for a job for which they were qualified, or dismissed or forced to resign, once it was known that they had a mental illness.
70 – 90% of people are unemployed due to serious mental illness.
75% of short term Canadian disability claims are related to mental illness.
Health Care
Depression and psychological stress are the strongest predictor of physician visits and hospitalization.
Mood disorders was known as the most common psychiatric diagnosis for admission to general hospitals.
Substance Abuse
30% of people diagnosed with a mental illness have a substance abuse problem.
Depression is a common health consequence of heavy drinking.
18% of seniors are hospitalized because of heavy drinking.
Facts about Stigma
The prototypical image of disability recognized by most Canadians is the wheel chair.
67% agree that chronic depression is a disability, and 66% believe that mental illness is a common disorder.
58% think depression is most common.
79% recognize the symptoms of depression, 45% recognize the symptoms of schizophrenia, and 39% recognize the symptoms of anxiety.
33% think mental health problems are rare.
55% think psychiatric medications are harmful.
33% would recommend non-medical solutions.
59% believe people can recover from mental illness.
42% say they would be uncomfortable revealing that they had a mental illness.
44% say a person with mental illness would have a hard time holding a job.
Based on diagnosis, mental illness are related to biology and genetics:
- Schizophrenia: 48%
- Depression: 27%
- Anxiety: 21%
World Facts
2% of the world’s population are affected by a serious mental illness.
Depression is the fourth leading cause of disability and premature death in the world.
Our Verdict
We find that these statistics, though this particular data does not capture worldwide as well as by keeping in mind their accuracy, indicate that people who are suffering are afraid to say everything, or anything, likely lack education around mental health and mental illness, or perhaps feel powerless in some way or another. The stats also show that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is not recognized as a leading factor, when it could very well be the leading cause of anxiety and/or depression, yet very few seem to link the two.
We hope that these information can help reduce the harmful effects of stigma...
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Namaste
Sources: Stigma, Canadian Statistics
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