Question

Question 1:

Explain what “stigma of mental illness” is and how cultural norms affect it.

Question 2:

Suicide rates tend to be higher in those nations that rank high on subjective well-being. Explain this finding and describe cultural factors likely contributing to suicide.

Answer 1

In the 19th century, psychological disorders were associated with religious beliefs and were considered to be God's doings. It was believed that an individual was being punished by God and thus, has to suffer for his own wrong doings. Later, there were other conclusions, that people arrived to with regard to psycological disorders. It was believed that an individual suffering with a psychological disorder is possessed by an evil spirit, which lead to practicing exorcism (a hole in the brain was made for the evil spirit to leave the body). It was only during the late 20th century and early 21st century when psychologists developed different perspectives in understanding the human mind and behaviour. The concept of mind and body being two different entities was introduced, they interact with one another at some level. Understanding why an individual behaves a certain way, the causes, through cognitive perspective, psychodynamic perspective, psychosocial perspective, behavioural perspective and etcetera, were the modern researches that have allowed us to correct some of these misconceptions.

However, there are people out there in the society who still believe psychological disorders to be our 'fate'. The information from research could be used to change people's views of psychological disorders by making them aware of how a human brain functions and the intricate details like involvement of cognition, that is responsible in exhibition of a certain kind of behaviour in individuals. We need to be a lot more understanding and supportive to people who suffer from mental and emotional disorders. We cannot label them and ostracize them just because they are a little 'different' from us. We should provide them with unconditional love and care to help them cope with their mental illness better.