By Jennifer Fiorillo
Mental Health
Jennifer Fiorillo
Are you aware that more than 50 percent of individuals living with mental disorders don’t receive treatment? This is an alarming statistic. There are real barriers to accessing necessary physical and mental health care, and many of these barriers revolve around the social determinants of health, including food and housing insecurity, employment or income and lack of health insurance. But what are the other factors that contribute to people not accessing mental health treatment?
The discrimination and prejudice that exists toward mental health is still alive and well, and we need to understand its impact in order to tackle it in a meaningful way. As an example, negative public perceptions of mental illness have been amplified by media which perpetuate the antiquated belief that people with schizophrenia are more violent. In fact, individuals living with schizophrenia are more likely to be victims of violence than to commit violent acts.
The stereotype of the “crazy” person not only leads to public discrimination and prejudice, but also to self-discrimination and self-prejudice. Studies have shown that over 60 percent of those diagnosed with schizophrenia self “stigmatize,” making them less likely to continue mental health treatment and more likely to socially isolate. This specific example, based on one mental health diagnosis, illustrates a cycle of how public stereotypes and prejudice toward individuals living with mental disorders can directly influence an individual’s decision to seek out mental health care.
In addition to a reduced likelihood to seek out treatment, discrimination and prejudice around mental health can lead to reduced hope, an increase in psychiatric symptoms, social isolation, difficulty with relationships and fewer opportunities for employment, school and social activities.
The pervasiveness of this systemic prejudice also impacts advocacy and political efforts to advance policy and makes it more challenging to raise funds for organizations that support these populations, resulting in underfunding for treatment and research.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has elevated the level of acknowledgement that mental health should be a priority, I am fearful that this will be short-lived after we get through some of the challenges resulting from an increase in the need for services post pandemic. It is important not to let mental health slip into the shadows again, and we should use this momentum to help move the needle toward a universal acceptance and recognition of mental health disorders.
We can all participate in tackling discrimination and prejudice and work to keep mental health a part of the discussion. The National Mental Health Alliance offers some suggestions on how each of us can show our support to reduce discrimination and prejudice, including by being honest about treatment and normalizing it in the same way other health care is, being aware of language we use when referencing mental health and individuals who are seeking services, educating ourselves and others about stereotypes and misperceptions, encouraging equality and parity for mental health care and showing compassion for those with mental illness.
Finally, we should celebrate the recovery of people we know who have been in treatment and are committed to their health and healing as well as encourage those who have walked the path to inspire others to seek help or begin the path to recovery.
Jennifer Fiorillo, MBA, MPH is the president and CEO of Bridges Healthcare in Milford, and may be reached at Jfiorillo@bridgesmilford.org.