STIGMATIZATION OF PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS

Abstract

This article presents the historical development of stigmatizing attitudes toward people with mental
disorders, the negative effects this problem carries and possible ways of overcoming this problem.The
development of psychiatry dates far back in history. It is believed that primitive tribes viewed mental
illness as a higher force that could not be altered, and the isolation of mentally ill was popular even in
those distant times.Psychiatric patients have always been considered as dangerous and criminals.This is
supported by the fact that such people were tortured in various camps, degraded and labeled.Psychiatric
institutions are always located outside cities, on mountains, far from other people. This is seen even
today.All these factors contribute to the creation of stigmatization not only among the general population
but also among health professionals.It was only in the 18th century that some light was shed on psychiatry
with the removal of shackles and chains from patients.Regardless of the efforts made to reduce stigma,
fear and caution are still present among the general population while contacting psychiatric patients.What
pleases us is the fact that due to the increasing number of mental illnesses, programs are being created to
combat stigmatization.Such programs aim to restore the dignity of sick people, as well as the institutions
where they stay.Lack of knowledge and understanding of mental illness contributes significantly to
stigmatization.Therefore, the education of patients, their families and the wider public is of extreme
importance.All this has the same goal, which is better understanding of mentally ill and decrease of
stigmatization.
The objective of this article is to show what affects the creation of stigmatizing attitudes towardthe
mentally ill, what negative consequences such attitudes lead to, and what are the possible ways to
overcome them.