Self-Care

Reflections

Artifacts

As I continue my degree program, I continue to focus my thoughts on which arguments regarding mental health are most meaningful to me. I have included this artifact because it helped me to refine those thoughts. The programmatic theme of self-care is often one that individuals postpone. Putting positive practices in place and seeking help when overwhelmed is critical to sound mental health.

When it comes to caregiving, the question “What qualifies as long-term care?” comes to mind. Why isn’t raising a child considered long-term care, but tending to a chronically ill child is? What makes age-related issues qualifying topics for care, but daily care for individuals, family, friends, and loved ones are not? One could argue that individuals who provide daily care to themselves and others as it extends throughout their lives are long-term caregivers.

The first argument could be that issues outside health are not public social concerns and, therefore, do not need to be defined. Long-term caregiving is currently a term for the chronically ill only. Long-term care is a medical concern only.

The second argument is that providing care at any level can present individuals with issues that could be better navigated with a counselor or psychiatrist. A lifelong process should be looked at as long-term, in general. Programs and resources are needed to ensure the well-being of all individuals. Long-term care should be considered a mental health issue.

Both sides have valid points of argument, but for the assignment, I would choose to argue the side of long-term care being a mental health issue. It can be shown that it has health impacts, disrupts lifespan development and the pursuit of programmatic themes, and is a source of mental health issues. Clarifying this definition would be helpful to both the caregiver and those in the mental health field when determining a course of action and or treatment of the physical effects caused by caregiver stress and burnout.

The second issue could be that there remains a stigma surrounding mental health. When mental health is discussed, it is frequently responded to with “What is wrong?” “What’s going on?” or “Are you ok?” Mental health is seldom considered when individuals are happy or exhibiting positive self-expression. Individuals need a support system, even when things are going well. Just as an exercise program assists in physical well-being, mental health support assists in maintaining self-development, emotional intelligence, self-care, social justice, ethics, and career connections.

The first argument could be that mental health is not stigmatized. Systems are in place to identify and direct individuals to the appropriate resources. There has been a social acceptance of pharmaceutical treatment for mental health issues, and those not having trouble do not need the support of a mental health professional.

Mental health is stigmatized, and individuals at all levels of mental health struggle with issues. Individuals are generally uncomfortable with being vulnerable, expressing their feelings, having conversations that may result in conflict or disagreement, or struggling to understand current social norms and perspectives. There remains a need to normalize the discussion and support of mental health—a “help for the healthy” campaign.

For my final essay, my argument would be that mental health is stigmatized. There is a general bias that exists that if someone is seeking mental health support, there is something wrong. Current social trends deter individuals, and a growing lack of coping strategies is being communicated. All individuals will encounter difficult situations and can benefit from a supportive partner.

This would be meaningful to the individuals who benefit from mental health support. Still, it would also pave the way for more academic students to consider pursuing a career. There is a significant deficit in the need for Psychology experts and Mental Health Counselors. Removing the stigma could diminish the perception that being in a Psychology career means you deal with other individuals’ problems. It could grow the perception that psychology professionals are partners for successful personal growth, development, and good mental health.

Module Five Assignment: Persuasive Essay Draft

Jason M. Ilnicki

Southern New Hampshire University

ENG 123: English Composition II

Professor Brittany Cundiff

February 10, 2024

"Did you hear about Jack? They are seeing a therapist.’ ‘Oh, my god, what is wrong?

The term mental health carries stigmas that cause individuals and society to associate mental health with mental illness. These stigmas cause individuals to fear negative perceptions, judgment, and discrimination. This can cause avoidance of seeking help or treatment and make the untreated issue worse. To understand these perceptions, individuals must know the stigmas, why they exist, and how they can bring about change.

An excellent place to start is by defining mental health and the stigmas surrounding it. Mental health is “A state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.” (Staff, 2024) Stigma is “A mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.” (Independent, 2010, p. 1596)

Following that logic, mental health stigma is disapproval or shame placed on people who live with a mental illness or seek help for emotional distress. The pressures of mental health stigma can come from family, friends, coworkers, and society on a broader level. Those stigmas on individuals carry over to the topic of mental health broadly,

Some might argue that those with a healthy capacity to manage their emotions or feelings through maintaining physical health, positive relationships, and a healthy lifestyle do not need mental health services. Some have gone so far as to claim that mental illnesses do not exist. In, No such thing as mental illness? Critical reflections on the major ideas and legacy of Thomas Szasz (Benning, 2016), an attempt was made to debunk the existence of mental illness by using a basic comparison to physiological abnormality or medical-pathological definitions of disease. There remains a belief, among some, that mental conditions are a direct result of some other pathological disorder. However, no evidence has yet to be presented compelling enough to validate this claim.

Whether it is the belief that these conditions are subjective or pathological illnesses, the existing stigmas are the same. There is an issue: individuals are treated differently, legitimately so, in response to these unusual behaviors. In many cases, behavioral changes onset slowly and do not make it overtly evident that the individual is dealing with something difficult. The response from individuals and society is critical to the well-being of the individual suffering a mental health struggle.

Individuals fear being judged, shamed, or discriminated against. Most can relate to these feelings, as almost everyone experiences them at some point. These feelings can drive choices and decisions. However, not everyone copes with those feelings the same way. Outreach, support, and acknowledgment are crucial factors when engaging in conversations regarding someone’s mental status. The effects of using these approaches are shown in Combatting Negative Stigma and Communication Obstacles from University Counseling Services: A Case Study at Florida Institute of Technology. (O'Neal & Yuran, 2020, pp. 162-176)

The study used a mixed-methods approach using quantitative (online surveys) and qualitative (interviews) to gain better insights and create statistical data to determine the state of mental health on campus. (O'Neal & Yuran, 2020) In the process, the study found that “An individual becomes aware of public stigma (perceived public stigma) then forms personal attitudes (personal stigma) that may or may not concur with the perceived stigma and then determines whether or not to apply the stigmatizing attitudes to the self.” (O'Neal & Yuran, 2020, pp. 162-176) This finding demonstrates how stigmas may form from both individual and social influences.

The study (O'Neal & Yuran, 2020) also demonstrates how this leads individuals to self-help, failure to communicate, and avoidance of treatment. Individuals fear and adopt stigmas that others demonstrate, and the effects are often adverse. The judgments individuals face perpetuate stigmas, bias, and self-reliance. Stigmas result from fear and failure to seek understanding.

How do we bring about change, knowing that reactions profoundly affect how individuals pursue resolutions to complicated feelings? Change can be made individually or on a societal scale. Change comes in small steps. “There is a need for new educational and learning activities, which have greater transformational potential, by acknowledging the complexity of behavior change.” (Alguren, 2021, pp. 5-21) This study shows quantitatively how behavioral change is complex. These complexities are applicable on both an individual and societal level. As such, attempts at change often take more than one attempt.

Time is a factor in change. Significant change requires small steps and focused objectives. Consider the shootings at Columbine. (Sprague, Nishioka, & Smith, 2007, pp. 93-116) The trauma was immense. Protocols were implemented to address the evolving issues and confront this trauma.

While the protocols ultimately were influential in bringing about successful change, it was determined that “Unfortunately, three years was not long enough for these projects to (1) identify the student population, (2) develop an effective service, and (3) train staff to a consistent level of fidelity–essential foundations for a reliable and valid outcome evaluation. Consequently, implementation of the final form of the SS/HS comprehensive intervention was not fully realized within the allotted funding period.” (Sprague, Nishioka, & Smith, 2007)

Change takes time. It can be done and will not be easy. How individuals respond to others when faced with intangible feelings will take time. Implicit bias and social constructs will continue to affect individual and social responses. This bias can have both positive and negative impacts on this issue.

The endpoint is to look for evidence before making a judgment. Listen. Individuals cannot understand someone's struggles without the ability to listen and communicate. There is no expectation that responses will change overnight. The evidence shows that because of stigmas, the topic of mental health is avoided and seen as something wrong. These stigmas cause individuals to fear negative perceptions, judgment, and discrimination and avoid seeking help.

Mental health is as vital for the healthy as it is for those who struggle to maintain it, as they are just as susceptible to these stigmas. Communication is critical to reducing or eliminating stigmas and bringing about change. Listen before responding and consider how individuals might maintain their ability to cope with powerful feelings.

Works Cited

Alguren, B. (2021). How to Bring about Change -- A Literature Review about Education and Learning Activities for Sustainable Development.. Discourse and Communication for Sustainable Education, 12(n1), 5-21. https://eds-p-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.snhu.edu/eds/detail/detail?vid=4&sid=97af36b6-100c-42d4-9465-798bae3ea272%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#AN=EJ1297041&db=eric

Benning, T. B. (2016). No such thing as mental illness? Critical reflections on the major ideas and legacy of Thomas Szasz. BJPsych Bulletin,, 40(6), 292-295. https://eds-p-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.snhu.edu/eds/detail/detail?vid=4&sid=cc0e2b95-afe7-4129-a43d-900df086e703%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#AN=2017-35617-002&db=psyh

O'Neal, Klayna, and Dzmitry Yuran. "Combatting Negative Stigma and Communication Obstacles for University Counseling Services: A Case Study at Florida Institute of Technology." Journal of Organizational Psychology, vol. 20, no. 4, 2020, pp. 162-176, eds-p-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.snhu.edu/eds/detail/detail?vid=9&sid=cc0e2b95-afe7-4129-a43d-900df086e703%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#AN=147939520&db=bsu.

Sprague, J., Nishioka, V., & Smith, S. G. (2007). Safe Schools, Positive Behavior Supports, and Mental Health Supports: Lessons Learned from Three Safe Schools/Healthy Students Communities. Journal of School Violence, 6(2), 93-116. https://eds-p-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.snhu.edu/eds/detail/detail?vid=11&sid=cc0e2b95-afe7-4129-a43d-900df086e703%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#AN=edshol.hein.journals.wjsv6.18&db=edshol

Psychology Today. (2024). https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/mental-health-stigma

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