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Personal Reflections on Mental Illness in America
By (Student name)
Institutional Affiliation (School)
Course Title (Class)
Instructor (Tutor)
Date
, 2
Personal Reflections on Mental Illness in America
What are the general attitudes and behaviours that citizens in the Unites States exhibit
towards people who present mental illness?
Generally, Americans hold a negative attitude towards people presenting mental
illnesses. Profound stereotypes are meted against victims of mental illnesses. They are
thought to be dangerous and unpredictable, capable of carrying out harmful actions towards
any persons around them. its therefore practical to see people avoid close contacts with
patients of mental health, suspecting that they may hurt them without notice. On the contrary,
people presenting mental health illnesses are more of a risk to themselves (hurting themselves
due to loss of hope) than others. People with mental health illnesses are also thought to be
incompetent and impaired physically, cognitively, socially and mentally. They are therefore,
likely to be released from their work duties, with employers citing poor cognition which may
lead to bad and costly decision-making. Social incompetence means inability to work or
function well collaboratively with others.
Discrimination and stigma are also cited among behavioral traits endured by people
with mental illnesses in America. The high stigma about mental illnesses, coupled with
misleading media representation of mental illnesses. This negative notions about mental
health coins negative attitudes to employers, who then feel unsafe to hire a person presenting
signs of a mental illness, and landlords to accommodate them in their properties. Unless
accompanied by a relative or a social worker, these people may receive lower standards of
care in hospitals. In all cases, the outcomes are always worse for persons from lower social-
economic backgrounds, especially the racial-minorities.
According to the Borenstein (2020), at least 50% of people enduring pangs of mental
illnesses fail or hesitate to seek health care about their condition. Often, they sight concerns
of being treated differently at their workplaces or neighborhoods with fears of losing jobs,
housing and other aspects of livelihood. Only few cases and with assurance of no negative
outcomes do many feel comfortable seeking help.
What are the attitudes and behaviours exhibited towards children with mental illness?
Toward the elderly with mental illness?
Children with mental illnesses are also victims of stigma. They are perceived dangerous
and capable of harming other children. For this reason, some parents of normal children often
Personal Reflections on Mental Illness in America
By (Student name)
Institutional Affiliation (School)
Course Title (Class)
Instructor (Tutor)
Date
, 2
Personal Reflections on Mental Illness in America
What are the general attitudes and behaviours that citizens in the Unites States exhibit
towards people who present mental illness?
Generally, Americans hold a negative attitude towards people presenting mental
illnesses. Profound stereotypes are meted against victims of mental illnesses. They are
thought to be dangerous and unpredictable, capable of carrying out harmful actions towards
any persons around them. its therefore practical to see people avoid close contacts with
patients of mental health, suspecting that they may hurt them without notice. On the contrary,
people presenting mental health illnesses are more of a risk to themselves (hurting themselves
due to loss of hope) than others. People with mental health illnesses are also thought to be
incompetent and impaired physically, cognitively, socially and mentally. They are therefore,
likely to be released from their work duties, with employers citing poor cognition which may
lead to bad and costly decision-making. Social incompetence means inability to work or
function well collaboratively with others.
Discrimination and stigma are also cited among behavioral traits endured by people
with mental illnesses in America. The high stigma about mental illnesses, coupled with
misleading media representation of mental illnesses. This negative notions about mental
health coins negative attitudes to employers, who then feel unsafe to hire a person presenting
signs of a mental illness, and landlords to accommodate them in their properties. Unless
accompanied by a relative or a social worker, these people may receive lower standards of
care in hospitals. In all cases, the outcomes are always worse for persons from lower social-
economic backgrounds, especially the racial-minorities.
According to the Borenstein (2020), at least 50% of people enduring pangs of mental
illnesses fail or hesitate to seek health care about their condition. Often, they sight concerns
of being treated differently at their workplaces or neighborhoods with fears of losing jobs,
housing and other aspects of livelihood. Only few cases and with assurance of no negative
outcomes do many feel comfortable seeking help.
What are the attitudes and behaviours exhibited towards children with mental illness?
Toward the elderly with mental illness?
Children with mental illnesses are also victims of stigma. They are perceived dangerous
and capable of harming other children. For this reason, some parents of normal children often
