Answer to Question #211651 in Philosophy for 4895

Question

Why there is taboo around mental health? Is it only about ‘what others will say’? Explain the philosophy of mental health, theoretically keeping in mind the arguments discussed in the class. (20 MARKS) (800-1000 WORDS)

 

Answer 1

Mental Health and Taboo

The understanding and awareness about mental illnesses and their treatments are mental health literacy. Personal experience of mental sickness, knowledge of and interaction with someone who has the mental disease, and cultural stereotypes affect the attitudes and opinions of laypersons regarding mental illness. Through the compilation of this review, the differing views of mental illnesses are increasing and are alarming in almost every part of the planet (Tharaldsen et al., 2017). It also offers the possibility of filling the gap in scientific literature by concentrating solely on the belief system and the interpretation of psychological problems among the populace.

Psychological health, which has long been a tabu issue, is primarily due to the "what others would think," but there are many additional elements that people think make it a tabu subject. Consideration of hidden mental illness: The mental health disorders formally identified are categorized as a hidden handicap since the external symptoms are not immediately apparent. Many persons with depression and fear learn to disguise and mask behavior that may educate people about their actual condition (Subu, 2015). For example, the bubbling girl in a restaurant can only conceal her eating problems.

At some time in their lives, poor mental health impacts almost everyone and does not discriminate. Several trigger points, such as working stress, marital problems, and money problems, may affect a person's mental health condition. This situation was increased much more by the COVID-19 epidemic. According to data, one-third of individuals have encountered a prevalent mental health disorder in the last week. Poor mental health seems to be a reasonably frequent issue – but, for many individuals, especially working associates and their families, it is hard to talk about their mental health situation and communicate it to others (Sayburn, 2015). This paper examines some of the reasons why psychological health continues to be taboo.

One primary reason why mental health might be a taboo issue is the concern that others will look weak. It is more evident among males, even though it may be noticed in both genders - as they are less likely to go to their GP about their mental health. One of the causes is that males feel forced to live with a strong masculine stereotype, and mental ill-health is consequently regarded as a vulnerability to discrimination. The mental disorders formally identified are categorized as concealed, as the development and symptoms are not immediately apparent. Many persons with depression and fear learn to disguise the behaviors that may tell people about their actual state (Van-Ommen, 2019). For example, the bubbling girl at work can hide her food issue. 

But in the West, the flood is turning, as more and more famous people come out and admit that they are not all their scene figures. People experience low moods and anxieties (Van Ommen, 2019). After openly admitting his continuous fighting with depression, Stephen Fry became President of the foundation for mental health. In addition, Leonardo DiCaprio has shown that he has an obsessional mental illness; Chrissy Teigen has been depressed postpartum, and Demi Lovato has been extremely open on her diagnosis of a diagnosed bipolar disorder. As more famous people become honest and upfront about their challenges, they progressively become fewer taboos in society.

In 2017 BBC figures indicated that black and minority ethnic community’s experienced cultural stigma around mental health problems and those whites were treated as black or Asian persons twice as often for their illness. These remarks will come as no surprise to those of us who come from BME backgrounds (Tharaldsen et al., 2017). The causes are diverse and frequently reflect the social, economic, and cultural differences across British areas. The internal behavior and the interaction between health facilities and their patients are two significant variables impacting mental health care among BME communities. Asha Iqbal campaigner said that the fear of disgrace if seeking assistance made her anxiety worse. "Mental health in communities as a whole is so deeply stigmatized that many patients have been suffering for more than a decade (Subu, 2015). The patient is speaking to the friends or relatives' perspectives and the whole neighborhood to think about the Asian Community where many cases have been reported.

In most research, psychological difficulties, such as discontent, poor self-esteem, rejection, repudiation, self-reliance and blame, fear and anxiety, and conflict in parental or personality development, were discussed when examining the causes of mental health disorders. The socio-economic issues involved were also critical contributors to mental health problems, poor earning possibilities, poor primary and secondary requirements, racial and ethnic prejudice, and economic unfairness (Hainline & Reardon, 2019). Some essential variables for developing mental health disorders were also identified as challenging experiences, traumas, and daily life pressures.

While many people's mental health is still a taboos issue, progress is being made more and more. Mental health is more than ever in public awareness, and the subject has seen enormous advances in comparison with ten years ago. It is partially due to celebrities and public health initiatives that encourage individuals to speak. More resources are available to help and prevent future declines for those in need (Sayburn, 2015). As male-oriented caring organizations, the greater the effect among men is working with men to fight stigmatization.

References

Hainline, B., & Reardon, C. L. (2019). Breaking a taboo: why the International Olympic

Committee convened experts to develop a consensus statement on mental health in elite athletes. <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; background:white">https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/53/11/665?versioned=true</span>

Sayburn, A. (2015). Why medical students’ mental health is a taboo subject. BMJ, 350.

<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; background:white">https://www.bmj.com/content/350/sbmj.h722.full</span>

Subu, M. A. (2015). Persistent taboo understanding mental illness and Stigma among

Indonesian adults through grounded theory (Doctoral dissertation, Université d'Ottawa/University of Ottawa). <span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:200%;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;background:white">https://ruor.uottawa.ca/handle/10393/33387</span>

Tharaldsen, K. B., Stallard, P., Cuijpers, P., Bru, E., & Bjaastad, J. F. (2017). ‘It’sa bit taboo’: a

qualitative study of Norwegian adolescents’ perceptions of mental healthcare services. Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, 22(2), 111-126. <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; background:white">https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13632752.2016.1248692</span>

Van Ommen, A. L. (2019). Taboo and Stigma in Praying for Mental Health: An Empirical-

Theological Investigation into the Practice of Public Intercession. Ecclesial Practices, 6(1), 83-101. <span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif; background:white">https://brill.com/view/journals/ep/6/1/article-p83_83.xml</span>