Research Paper on Mental Health and Well Being

Introduction

Mental health and wellbeing denote a state whereby a person can adapt to challenges in life, carry out his responsibilities, enjoy life, and have a positive impact on the society. Wellness indicates the absence of a mental health condition. Good mental health enables an individual to form fulfilling relationships with others, express themselves, and deal with both positive and negative emotions. Health and human services play an essential role in maintaining a sense of wellness among members of the society. Clement et al. (2015) argued that stigma limits access and utilisation of mental health services. Adolescents and young adults have a high prevalence of mental illness. Stigmatization prevents them from seeking help. Stigma occurs through certain forms, such as harsh language and social exclusion. This paper provides a literature review on the impacts of stigma on mental health services utilisation among the youth.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Impact of Stigma on Mental Health Services Utilisation

Clement et al. (2015) review the effects of mental health-related stigma on help-seeking among individuals with mental illnesses. The authors seek to determine the extent to which shame is a barrier that hinders the utilisation of health services. The article identifies stigma as a deterrent factor that limits access. Its findings indicate that individuals with mental health conditions experience the most difficulty in disclosing their state. The youths are the most affected by disclosure issues. While the article acknowledges other self-limiting challenges of mental disorders, it emphasises the impact of stigma on lack of commitment and adherence to prescribed interventions. Clement et al. (2015) argue that labelling of individuals attending treatment programs drives them to skip sessions or completely withdraw. The society's attitudes towards mental illness, as well as the individually-perceived stigma, have a negative impact on the mental health utilisation. The article identifies stigma as one of the chief hindrances to the success of mental health services.

Implications of the Clement et al. findings on mental health services reveal that the youths are not willing to seek help from professional health practitioners or pursue talk therapy. Most teenagers associate professional help with negative social judgement and shame. Clement et al. (2015) claim that many youths perceive seeking aid as an embarrassment, especially among peers. The young see it as a loss of control over one's struggles. They view it as a sign of giving up. While individuals with mental illnesses may desire to ask for help, the fear of stereotyping makes them hold back.

Rickwood, Deane, and Wilson (2007) cover a crucial aspect of the youths' fears of mental health services. The element of identity and image among their peers' influences disclosure. Young people dislike labels, especially by close friends. Youths tend to worry about their friends mocking them behind their backs. Jokes characterised by references, such as 'mental case' hurt persons with psychological distress (Rickwood, Deane, & Wilson, 2007). Peers make such insensitive utterances due to ignorance. Lack of understanding on the plight of persons undergoing distress reflects a disparity in information dissemination. The article's presentation supports the findings of other authors. It reveals a lack of knowledge and skills necessary for fostering the well-being of distressed persons. Inability to recognise and respond appropriately to the conditions of psychologically distressed youths is a common occurrence across communities.

Carr, Halpin, and Low Prevalence Disorders Study Group (2002), as well as Clement et al. (2015), raise similar concerns regarding the source of stigma on mental health. They both attribute the stereotyping to society's ignorance. Lack of information on the topic contributes to the poor attitudes, negative judgements, and the use of unkind, insensitive language in the community (Carr, Halpin, & Low Prevalence Disorders Study Group, 2002). A society's speech is a powerful tool. The choice of words used on the topic leaves a lasting impression on individuals with the illness. The authors agree on the essence of changing the public's perception and understanding of mental health. Both authors document the adverse effects of stigma on the utilisation of health services. Human services need to take the initiative and provide a positive image to youths on mental health. The young adults would get encouraged to seek help without fear.

Other Barriers to Mental Service Utilization among Youths

Carr, Halpin, and Low Prevalence Disorders Study Group (2002) discuss the presence of discriminatory tendencies across several sectors of the community. The most common forms of discrimination are exclusion, humiliation, and lack of valuation of persons with psychological illnesses. The outcome of discrimination is feelings of anger, frustration, and hopelessness. The authors claim that the youth lacks precise knowledge on issues of mental health (Carr, Halpin, & Low Prevalence Disorders Study Group, 2002). There is a widespread misperception of the reality of mental illness and mental health services. The lack of awareness overburdens persons with mental illnesses. Apart from dealing with their issues, they have to contend with society's judgement and humiliation. In extreme cases, some communities isolate such persons. The article argues that the unfair treatment makes them feel unwanted.

How This Knowledge Help to Overcome Practice in the Human Services

Human services need to educate the society to counter the adverse effects of labelling. Human services have a long way to go in changing the society's attitudes on help-seeking. Failure to ask for help in time worsens the mental health condition. The article "From Stigma to Discrimination", analyses the efforts that are likely to help counter the effects of labels on individuals with psychological issues. The authors consider a series of initiatives and programs designed to reduce discrimination (Estroff, Penn, & Toporek, 2004). They acknowledge the role of social institutions, such as the media in spreading stigma. Their claims highlight the existence of widespread discrimination in the society. Social, political, and ideological contexts of a particular community influence antidiscrimination campaigns (Estroff, Penn, & Toporek, 2004). Different communities display different levels of perception. The authors identify education and promotion of contact with persons as a practical way of reducing discrimination. Findings indicate that people can overcome their attitudes through expressions and transactions. Artistic youths with mental illness can create art or conduct business transactions such as courier services. These efforts can help change the society's perception.

The article's approach is relatively similar to the arguments presented by Carr, Halpin, and Low Prevalence Disorders Study Group (2002) and Clement et al. (2015). They all agree on the value of having an informed society around persons with mental health conditions. The authors emphasise the power of educating the community on reducing stigmatisation. The expressions and transaction concept is a viable approach for the youth population dealing with psychological issues (Estroff, Penn, & Toporek, 2004). Stakeholders in the human services sector need to embrace the idea. The method exploits the creativity of the young adults to change the society's perceptions. It recognises the abilities and unique potential of the youthful population. Engaging the youth in service industries such as transportation can reduce the negative stereotyping.

In the article "When and how do young people seek professional help for mental health problems?" the authors seek to answer the question of when and how young people find professional assistance for mental health problems. They acknowledge the effectiveness of timely interventions by qualified persons in slowing down the progress of mental health issues. The article's findings reveal that young people are least likely to seek professional help. Reluctance to seek help varies according to the particular condition that a young adult faces. Young persons may have some knowledge on mental health. However, personal or social stigma deters them from disclosing their issues (Rickwood, Deane, & Wilson, 2007). The authors' findings indicate that the youth desire guidance and support from family and friends. As they mature, they can seek help from their partners. Practitioners such as school therapists and social workers are best suited to assist the youths.

Conclusion

In conclusion, young people with mental health issues continue to suffer due to discrimination by the community. They lack adequate information on the preferred course of action when handling psychologically distressed individuals. As a result, the society often overlooks their needs. The community views such persons as a burden. Thus, they humiliate and isolate them from the rest of the society. In addition to their mental conditions, the unkind treatment puts a strain on the wellness of such individuals. Society uses rude, hurtful language and terms when referring to mental health issues. Perpetual discrimination has hindered young people from seeking professional assistance. Underutilisation of mental health services implies that fewer people find interventions. Health and human services have a huge responsibility to change the public's stereotypes, attitudes, and behaviour towards mental health illness and services. Thus, there is an urgent need to organise general education forums for the people.

References

Carr, V., Halpin, S., & Low Prevalence Disorders Study Group. (2002). Stigma and Discrimination. , Australia: Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.

Clement, S., Schauman, O., Graham, T., Maggioni, F., Evans-Lacko, S., Bezborodovs, N., ... &Thornicroft, G. (2015). What is the impact of mental health-related stigma on help-seeking? A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies. Psychological Medicine, 45(1), 11-27.

Rickwood, D. J., Deane, F. P., & Wilson, C. J. (2007). When and how do young people seek professional help for mental health problems? Medical Journal of Australia, 187(7), S35.

Estroff, S. E., Penn, D. L., & Toporek, J. R. (2004). From stigma to discrimination: An analysis of community efforts to reduce the negative consequences of having a psychiatric disorder and label. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 30(3), 493-509.