In: Nursing
Describe an example of prejudice and discrimination in society today that is the result of poor communication.
Which communication strategies can be used to improve the situation you described? Be specific.
Prejudice and discrimination are root causes of human conflicts and that creates a tension in the society. This may affect most of the people in the society at some point in time. Prejudice is an unjustified or incorrect towards an individual or a group of people based solely on the individual’s characteristics or special needs. Discrimination occurs as result of prejudice usually negative, towards an individual or a group that related to the individual. Prejudice and discrimination occur as a result of holding stereotypes or negative beliefs and negative attitudes about a particular group of people. People often treat the target of prejudice in an inappropriate manner, such as excluding them from their circle of friends.
Prejudice and discrimination persist in society towards the family of people with mental illness. People discriminate against their friends if mental illness run in families and they may find it difficult to find a life partner. In the modern society also people are not considering mental disease as a treatable disease like other diseases. The lack of awareness is the main problem behind it. The social acceptance is very important in managing a person with mental disorders. Effective communication strategies can be used to remove the prejudice and discrimination of then society towards the psychiatric patients.
Mass media interventions
Use of mass media to improve the awareness of the public about the mental disorders.
The information about the diseases process and its management methods can be addressed.
Movies and plays reflecting the real situation can impact the opinion of people.
Social media interventions
Now a day’s people spend a lot of time on social media. The realistic information about the mental health problem will improve people’s awareness regarding the people with mental illness.
School level programs
The prejudice and discrimination roots in the mind of children, they learn from peers, teachers, parents etc. The change in attitude must be started from the root itself. Role plays and the inclusion of situations in the curriculum are the best methods to improve the attitude of children.
Community awareness programs
Awareness programs can be conducted in the community by the healthcare workers regarding the concerned issue. This will create a mass awareness about the mental illness. Materials like, demos, pamphlets, videos can be used.
Role of healthcare workers
The health care workers can be role model in the society in treating the people with mental illness and their family. This will improve the social acceptance.
Use of community leaders
The involvement of community leaders to improve the social attitude is also helpful.
By the combined strategies the persisting prejudice and discrimination can be minimized or eliminated in the long run