Understanding the Nature of Stigma Communication Associated with Mental Illness in Africa

By Stephen Gichuhi Kimotho

United States International University – Africa, Kenya
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-3808-0.ch002

Abstract 

Besides health and social costs, mentally ill, often, are also victims of stigma and discrimination, among many communities in Africa. Cultural beliefs, stereotypes are some of the social constructions used to perpetuate mental illness stigma. The purpose of this study was to describe the nature of stigma communication associated with mental illness, beliefs and stereotypes underpinning mental illness stigma. Generally, the findings indicate nature of mental illness stigma communication is an intersection of stigma messages, cultural beliefs, and stereotypes associated with mental illness. Cultural beliefs associated with mental illness are inextricably intertwined with the perceived causes of mental illness (which include curses, witchcraft, cultural misdemeanor, and possession by spirits or demons). Symptoms of mental illness (mainly aggression and nudity) mark the mentally ill as different and expose them to labeling by the rest of the community. Generally, the mentally ill are stereotyped as aggressive, symbol of shame, and unpredictable.

INTRODUCTION

Mental disorder places immense financial, psychological and social burden on family members of the persons with mental illnesses and ultimately have a significant impact on the family’s quality of life. WHO estimates that as many as 450 million people suffer from a mental disorder and nearly one million people commit suicide every year around the world. In addition, one in four families has at least one member with a mental disorder (World Health Organization, 2001).

Besides health and social costs, those suffering from mental illnesses, often, are also victims of human rights violations, stigma and discrimination, both inside and outside psychiatric institutions. Such stigmatization manifest through stereotyping, fear, embarrassment, anger, and rejection or avoidance. Among many communities, stigmatization of mentally ill is highly entrenched in the language and communication of the people and in various social interaction contexts. Understanding this, is important because this study is founded on the philosophical assumption that stigma and stigma communication are social constructions through language. Some of these social constructions used to perpetuate stigma associated with mental illness, among the members of different communities include: myths, cultural beliefs, stereotypes and misconceptions associated with mental illness.

Stigma and stigma communication associated with mental illnesses negatively affect the day-to-day lives of persons affected, leading to discrimination and the denial of even the most basic human rights. All over the world, people with mental disorders face unfair denial of employment and educational opportunities, and discrimination in health insurance and housing policies (Lasalvia, et al., 2013). Though a significant amount of research has been done on mental health, many studies have focused on measurement of mental illness (Van Brakel, 2006); coping strategies (Corrigan, & Miller, 2004) and others psychological outcomes. Despite these extensive research on mental health, mental illnesses continue to financially and socially torment millions of people in Africa because of the stigma, beliefs and stereotypes associated with mental illnesses. Nevertheless, little scholarly work has gone into analyzing the nature of stigma communication associated with mental illness or cultural beliefs and stereotypes underpinning such stigma in Africa. This study set out to fill this gap.

Click here to read the full paper: Full Paper