Problem
Marion, a 19-year-old student in her second year of university, has recently been diagnosed with anxiety and depression. She has been missing class and sleeping in and has many overdue assignments. Her physician has prescribed medications, but she doesn't want to take them, stating, "I don't want to be on pills the rest of my life!" Marion doesn't want anyone to know about her diagnosis; she has been avoiding spending time with family and friends, and she fears she will be ostracized. She believes she will have to quit school now that she has been diagnosed with a mental illness.
After reading the following case study, and reviewing your chapters and notes please answer the following questions. Note the mark assigned to each question. Responses can be in point form.
I. Define the word "stigma."
II. Based on Marion's circumstances, what type of stigmas may she be experiencing?
III. Discuss how stigma may impact Marion's health, mental health, and other aspects of her life.
IV. What current mental health stigmas may have begun hundreds of years ago? How many can you think of?
V. How would you respond to the family of a newly diagnosed schizophrenic, who may believe these stigmas to be true?
VI. How has technology improved mental health care?
VII. Stigma or stereotype? Read the following scenarios and identify if they represent a stigma or a stereotype:
i. A primary school teacher tells an Asian student that he should focus on math and science because "Asians are always good at those subjects."
ii. A woman calls about a rental listing for a basement apartment. During their brief conversation, the landlord asks, "And where do you and your family come from? Were you born in Canada, or did you immigrate here?" When told the caller is from Trinidad, the landlord says that she is very sorry, but the apartment has been rented and hangs up the phone.