There has been a long-lived social stigma about mental illness for several decades. I believe in the past decade in particular, mental illness is embraced more and the stigma has increasingly subsided. However, I have noted that generations previous to mine are more negatively opinionated about the subject. Because there has been little knowledge about psychiatric anomalies until recently, mental illness may have been viewed as “craziness” or “dangerous” when in reality, that is not always the case. Today, mental illness is embraced as an emotional and physical sickness that can be treated as necessary with consent.
A person’s culture may also impact one’s perception of mental illness and how to manage a mental illness. Some mental illnesses in certain religions are not considered a malady but rather a possession or a trait that is either a gift or a condemnation to an individual’s spirituality. It may be viewed negatively or in a positive light; in either circumstance, these views may impact a “Western” view, per se, of treatment. Religions and various ethnic groups may have different opinions on mental health; their views may not be seen as wrong. However, these views may be seen as unethical in our culture. Every person has their own point of view regarding this subject.
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