"Eradicating Social Stigma Surrounding Mental Health in the Philippines"

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Mental Health

What is Mental Health? 

    According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mental health is defined as the following:   
    • It is composed of our emotional, psychological, and social well-being
    • It impacts the way we think, feel, and act.
    • It influences how we deal with stress, interact with others, and make good decisions.
Image Courtesy: Shutterstock    

 Poor Mental Health vs. Mental Health Disorders 

    Oftentimes, poor mental health and mental illnesses or disorders are used interchangeably. Although poor mental health leads to physical and mental problems, these two terms still have their own differences. The former refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.  
    
    Mental Disorders refer to a broad variety of illnesses affecting emotion, thought, and behavior. Anyone, regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, religion, or race/ethnicity, can be affected by mental illness. 
    
    Common Mental Illnesses and Disorders include:    

Causes of Mental Health Disorders

    According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mental illness is caused by a variety of factors. A variety of variables can increase the risk of mental illness, including:

    • Early adversity in life, such as trauma or a family history of abuse (child abuse, sexual assault, witnessing violence, etc.)
    • Experiences with other long-term (chronic) illnesses, such as cancer or diabetes
    • Chemical abnormalities in the brain due to biological factors
    • Using drugs or alcohol
    • Feelings of loneliness or isolation 

Effects of Mental Health Disorders 

    According to MayoClinic (n.d.), the effects of mental health disorders include the  following: 

    • Unhappiness and decreased enjoyment of life
    • Relationship difficulties and social isolation
    • Problems with tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs
    • Legal and financial problems
    • A weakened immune system, heart disease, and other medical conditions
    • Self-harm and harm to others, including suicide or homicide

How do we treat Mental Health Disorders? 

     To treat or alleviate the symptoms of mental health disorders, there are several options one can take (Holland, 2018). Some examples include: 

    • Medication 
    • Psychotherapy  
    • Hospital and residential treatment 
    • Lifestyle changes and home remedies


The Current State of the Mental Health Sector in the Philippines

 
The Social Stigma Surrounding Mental Health

What is Social Stigma?

"Stop being dramatic.It's not real. It's just all inside your head."
Image Courtesy: https://cornerstonefamilyservices.org/mental-disorders-adjectives/
    
    According to Zoppi (2020), a stigma is a negative and often unfair social attitude attached to a person or group, often placing shame on them for a perceived deficiency or difference in their existence. Mental health stigma refers to societal condemnation or shame directed towards those who have a mental disease or seek treatment for emotional pain, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

    Stigma often comes from a lack of understanding or knowledge. Inaccurate or misleading media representations of mental illness contribute to these factors. Researchers identify three main types of social stigma prevalent in society (Corrigan et al., 2014):

    • Public Stigma - others' negative or discriminating attitudes about mental illness.
    • Self-stigma -  refers to people with mental illnesses' unfavorable views toward their own disease, particularly internalized shame.
    • Institutional Stigma -  is more systematic, involving government and private-sector practices that limit opportunities for persons with mental illnesses, whether purposefully or accidentally. Two examples are lower financing for mental illness research or fewer mental health services compared to other health care.

The Causes of Social Stigma

    According to a qualitative study conducted by Tanaka et al. (2018), social stigma is caused by the public misconception of mental health. In their research, Tanaka et al. (2018) interviewed 39 People with Mental Health Problems (PMHPs) in Muntinlupa, Philippines. After gathering the participants' responses, Tanaka et al. classified the causes into three distinct themes:
    • Familial problems
      - a family member with a mental disease is rejected or disowned by the rest of the family because they feel it can be hereditary. 
    • Unrealistic pessimism or optimism
      - the misconception about the severity of the condition, in which the mentally sick would either experience total functional impairment or be able to overcome any psychological pain on their own. 
    • Oversimplified chronic course
      - those without mental diseases apply an acute illness model to those who are ill and expect a quick recovery.

The Effects of Social Stigma 

    The effects of stigma are pervasive, according to a Lancet editorial, impacting political enthusiasm, philanthropic fundraising and availability, support for local services, and the underfunding of mental health research in comparison to other health disorders (American Psychiatric Association, n.d.). 

Social stigma can also have the following adverse effects:
    • Reluctance to seek aid or treatment, as well as a lower likelihood of sticking with it
    • Social isolation due to family, friends, coworkers, and others' lack of understanding
    • Work, school, or social possibilities are limited, and housing is difficult to come by.
    • Harassment, bullying, or physical assault
    • Inadequate health insurance coverage for mental illness treatment
    • The belief that you will never succeed at specific tasks or that you will never be able to change your circumstances.

How to Eradicate Social Stigma 

     
    According to the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (2021), there are seven things you can do to help eliminate stigma:
    1. Recognize the facts. Learn as much as you can about mental diseases.
    2. Be conscious of your thoughts and actions. Examine your own prejudicial thinking, which has been shaped by your upbringing and society.
    3. Choose your words with caution. The way we speak has an impact on how others see us.
    4. Others should be educated. Disseminate facts and encourage positive attitudes; debunk myths and stereotypes.
    5. Concentrate on the positive. Addictions and mental disorders are only a small component of a person's overall image.
    6. People need to be supported. Treat everyone with dignity and respect, and give encouragement and support.
    7. Everyone should be included. It is illegal to refuse anyone with certain health problems employment or services.

References: 

         





















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