1.1 Stigmatising language and behaviour
Stigmatising language and behaviour about mental health often comes from outdated stereotypical views about what mental illness is and how it effects people (Mental Health Foundation, 2021). This was explained in Week 3, where you learned how historical perspectives of mental illness resulted in negative labelling within education systems. It can also include potentially harmful views that people experiencing mental illness are violent and dangerous. This is particularly stigmatising as those with mental illness are actually more likely to be harmed by others, or to harm themselves, than to cause harm (Mental Health Foundation, 2021).
Such stereotypes are often exacerbated by media use of stigmatising language, which can increase these stigmatised beliefs among the public (Ross et al., 2021). However, it is also important to note that the media can be a powerful source for challenging stigma and creating positive portrayals of those experiencing mental illness (Stewart, 2006).
Stereotypical views may be particularly visible at specific events, or times of year, such as Halloween, and may have additional cultural significance. For example, writing for the UK-based charity Mind, Nicole Williams describes her experiences of seeing mental illness as a focus for costumes which are sold and worn around the community during Halloween:
Sadly, it isn’t the first upsetting costume I’ve seen – during my recovery I have seen ‘Mental Patient’ and ‘Psycho Ward’ costumes and even witnessed friends of friends choosing to wear them, and been told ‘it’s only a joke’, or ‘a bit of fun’.
The idea that ‘it is only a joke’ or ‘a bit of fun’ is a common one when people are challenged for displaying stigmatising beliefs around mental health and mental illness. Perhaps you noted this as one example in Activity 1. Did you also think about how such stigmatising beliefs might be challenged? This will be considered in the next section.