Schizophrenia and Stigma 

One of the realities of a mental health consumer is the obstacle they face called stigma.  According to Websters New Explorer Thesaurus the definition of stigma is:  "a mark of disgrace."  Society views those with schizophrenia as a disgrace to humanity.  They are viewed as outcasts of society.  People don't believe that schizophrenia is a real biological disease like other diseases such as heart disease, cancer, kidney disease, and other physical diseases.

What is the reason for the stigma society holds against those with schizophrenia?  I personally believe it's because of ignorance and fear.  Ignorance in the sense that society doesn't know the facts about schizophrenia.  There are myriads of myths out there about mental illness and people simply believe them.  Many people have an outright fear towards those with schizophrenia.  They are afraid that mental health consumers are violent and commit violent acts against other people.  They believe that mental health consumers are murderers.  People believe that those with schizophrenia will harm them in some violent way.  What is the reason for this sad state of affairs?  The media.  The only time schizophrenia is in the news is when an ill person commits a violent crime.  The media portrays those with mental illness as murderers and violent people.  The media never reports the good things about consumers and never report the actual facts about mental illness, period.

What can we do about this problem?  How can we change societies attitude towards those with schizophrenia?  How can we stamp out the stigma against those with mental illness?  How can we show society the real facts about schizophrenia and dispel all the untrue myths about this illness.  How can we go about this serious business of ridding society of this terrible stigma that plagues mental health consumers?  Stigma is a plague against consumers.  In fact I personally believe that stigma causes more pain, torment, and torture than the actual mental illness itself. 

One way is to start a massive anti-stigma campaign.  The purpose of this is to educate society about the facts of mental illness and dispel the myths.  We need to stamp out that debilitating stigma.  The only way to change the way society views mental health consumers is to stop the media from reporting lies and myths about mental illness and  start presenting the facts.   

Another way is to have mental health professionals, consumers, and family members write articles on schizophrenia and have them published for the general public to read in order to educate society on the facts and dispel the myths.  We can also go around giving speeches on schizophrenia to the general public.  We need to get the information out there on mental illness.  We need to show society that schizophrenia is not something to be feared.

In fact very few people with schizophrenia commit violent acts.  The majority of consumers are not violent.  Most consumers are probably more afraid of people and try to hide from them.  They stick to themselves and refrain from contact with other people.  Society need not be afraid of those with schizophrenia.

But we cannot hide that fact that some consumers do commit violent acts.  Most consumers that do commit violent acts are those who are not receiving treatment.  They are suffering from hallucinations, both auditory and visual.  They are very paranoid of other people.  Their thoughts are not based on reality.  In fact they are living in their own little psychotic world.  As a result of this they sometimes commit violent acts.  But those that do are a very small minority of the total mental health population.  Another thing if this population that commit violent acts were receiving treatment they would probably never commit these acts.  They would not have to be feared. 

If you are reading this article I would like to appeal to your human heart and rethink your perceptions about those with mental illness.  Open your heart and have compassion towards mental health consumers.  People with schizophrenia are real human beings just like you.  They have feelings just like you, they have a mind just like you, and they suffer tremendously because of that terrible stigma society imputes upon them.  They need love and compassion from others just like you do.  They need to have relationships and fellowship with other human beings just like you do.

How would you like to be all alone in life because of stigma towards you?  Mental health consumers live lonely lives all because of stigma.  In fact most mental health consumers will not seek treatment for their condition just because of stigma.  If they were not afraid of that stigma they would gladly seek treatment so that they can get well and live lives of meaning, purpose, and be productive members of society.

Out of those that seek treatment many do recover and live their lives out just like those without a mental illness.  In fact if most consumers didn't tell you that they had a mental illness you would never be able to tell  Although for many you can tell but they can still function and live independent lives in the community and be a part of that community. 

Be open minded towards the facts of schizophrenia and push out all the terrible myths about schizophrenia out of your mind.

I would like to say in conclusion the purpose of this site is to STAMP OUT THE STIGMA AGAINST THOSE WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA.