The mark of Cain : stigma in the life of people who have undergone psychiatric hospitalisation

Abstract

Despite the fact that we are supposably living in an open-minded society were there is acceptance and tolerance, reality may be quite different. Society still seems to be quite reluctant to fully accepting people suffering from mental health problems, and may make life difficult for them. Stigma associated with mental health has been analysed in depth these last decades, because it negatively affects people with mental health problems in their efforts at leading good healthy life. The purpose of this research was to explore whether stigma truly exists in the experience of hospitalised Maltese patients, to analyse the affects of stigma on people with mental illness, and to look at feelings and experiences. Moreover, it sought to find out who in particular stigmatises the person. It also investigated what in the opinion of the sufferers themselves, can be done to eliminate stigma, besides inquiring whether they cope with it. The study also attempted to consider whether psychiatric hospitalisation itself is stigmatising and what effects this has on the person. In order to carry out such study a qualitative method of research was used. This proved helpful in analysing in depth the experiences of the participants involved. A total of fourteen participants who have undergone psychiatric hospitalisation or are in a psychiatric hospital were chosen. The age of the participants varied from 31 to 75 years. Ten of the participants were females and four were male. Semi-structured, open-ended questions were used so that the researcher could probe and explain better the questions to the participant. The stigma of mental illness was shown to be a feature in most of the participants' lives. Stigma was an invasive concern to almost all the participants, associated with negative feelings including hurt and frustration, and that has affected them emotionally. Also stigma was mostly caused by neighbours, followed by respondents' relatives and there were instances were people with mental health problems have been stigmatised at the working place. Psychiatric hospitalisation carries stigma and people who enter may unfortunately become stigmatised since they are being cured there. Suggestions on what could be done to eliminate stigma were also given by the participants as well: educating the public and creating more awareness regarding mental health problems so as to decrease stigma. Stigma is a problem that is found in society, and affects the lives of people with mental health problems. It is an issue that needs to be tackled and eliminated for the well being of people suffering from mental health problems.