Smashing the Stigmas

CAN WE ABOLISH MENTAL HEALTH ST IGMAS?

Throughout the world 1 in 4 of us will experience a mental or neurological disorder at least once in our lives. This equates to 450 million people living with a mental health disorder at this exact moment in time. This could range from depression and anxiety to extreme schizophrenia, all of which are biologically different disorders but are the same in their creation of stress, upset and the huge changes they bring to the lives of an individual and their loved ones.

As a population we have greatly changed our views on how to treat and refer to mental health issues, however, sadly this has not always been the case. Schizophrenia was previously referred to as demonic possession or even magical powers. Matching these absurd descriptions were the ghastly treatment methods used at the time. Early treatments included “Insulin Shock Therapy” which was introduced in 1927 by Manfred Sakel. This “therapy” involved injecting patients with very high doses of insulin which would send them into a drug induced coma potentially leading to seizures. Psychiatrists believed the insulin blocked the firing of the nerves which in some cases caused schizophrenic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. So the seizures were seen to be “therapeutic” for the patient, relieving them of their symptoms. By the 1970s, Insulin Shock Therapy was out of use, however other therapies still in use included hydrotherapy which involved wrapping patients in cloths and then in ice cold water to “shock” the schizophrenia out of them and even lobotomising the patient which left them almost zombified. Over time it was proved that these questionable methods had no real benefit, and thankfully they are no longer used by doctors. In the Western world, as a majority, we have learnt to treat mental health in increasingly sensitive and appropriate ways and therefore mental health stigmas are nowhere near as prominent as they were decades ago. I find it particularly heartening when I see characters with mental health issues being portrayed in positive ways on television and in films. For example, the popular Netflix series “Degrassi” looks at the lives of teenagers in high school and addresses issues ranging from serious depression and substance abuse, to other issues including homophobia and racism. Each mental health issue is addressed in a sensitive and educational way which shows the viewer that mental health is not an unheard issue, nor a “taboo” topic, and that there is help for anyone who suffers from a mental health disorder. Other series such as “Orange is the New Black”, “My Mad Fat Diary”, “Call the Midwife” and “Eastenders” have portrayed the lives of people living with mental health issues, including post-natal depression and schizophrenia, and most offer guidance and helplines. I personally find that realistically exploring the lives of people with mental health disorders on screen is a great way to abolish the stigma around mental health and encourage people to seek help. However, unfortunately it is not always the case that mental health disorders are treated with the same care and sensitivity in other parts of the world. When listening to a member of the Lower Sixth during a “Sixth Form Intellectual Discussion” (SID talk) this year, she informed us of what life was like growing up in Iran. She explained about the increasing educational pressure put on teenagers which can often lead to severe depression and anxiety. In her experience from living in Iran for over 10 years she found that it is often the case that no one will talk about depression and therefore people do not seek help. This can mean that the illness gets to chronic stages where strong medication is the only answer. It is important to note that this may not be the case across the whole of Iran, but shows that there are still areas of the world where mental health stigmas are still rife. Mental health stigmas will arguably always be an issue due to everyone’s individual differences, varying cultures, social norms and opinions. However, it can be said with confidence that the world is changing to accept disorders - as shown by the advances in treatment methods and the ever increasing air time dedicated to increasing mental health knowledge. We know that there are areas in the world where mental health is currently not treated with respect and care, although we must be reminded that there is always time for change. Oonagh O (Upper Sixth)