ASSESMENT OF STIGMA AND DISCRIMATION AMONG PERSONS WITH MENTAL DISORDER, (A CASE STUDY OF DUTSE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, JIGAWA STATE)

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Illness is never appreciated by anybody no matter its nature. Mental illness in particular presents with most distressing and alarming features that are most especially scaring to people and so making them running away from those affected. It is on these bases that this study was thought about so that the situation will be modified to better the lives of people living with mental illness are often drastically altered by the symptoms of the illness and society’s reaction to them. While symptoms can usually be mitigated by a number of measures, the inherent stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness may persist for a lifetime and can manifest themselves in a number of subtle and not so subtle ways. Typically, stigma takes the form of stereotyping, distrust, fear, or avoidance and can negatively impact pursuit of treatment, employment and income, self-worth, and families. Individuals with mental illness are commonly labeled as a result of their appearance, behavior, treatment, socioeconomic status, and also duet the negative depiction of mental illness so prevalent in the media (Scheffer, 2003).

Individuals with mental illness are stereotyped as dangerous, unpredictable, and as weak willed. Along with the stigma faced by the individual, associative stigma can impact the family and friends of that person. It is now widely accepted that education, particularly in the childhood years, can significantly increase understanding among the public and lessen discrimination against the mentally ill. Educational material capable of engaging its audience emotionally swells as intellectually has shown to be the most effective. Certain programs also encourage their audience to increase their levels of contact with people who are mentally ill. This has been shown to increase favorable attitudes and also to decrease perceived dangerousness (Scheffer, 2003).

The 2006 survey indicated that 85% of participants agreed that ‘people with mental health problem should have the same rights as anyone else’, 46% agreed that ‘the majority of people with mental health problems recover’ and 40% agreed that ‘people are generally caring and sympathetic to people with mental health problems’. The proportion of people agreeing with the statement. The misperception that most individuals with mental health problems are dangerous leads to more social distance (particularly for those with psychotic disorders), that is a reluctance on the part of the general public to engage with these individuals; ultimately this can lead to their social exclusion (Compton, M 2006) One German survey reported that 49.6% of the public expressed the belief that someone with a mental disorder was unpredictable, while violent and aggressive behavior was associated with mental illness by about one quarter of respondents (Corrigan, 2004,)The public canals believe that people with mental health problems are more likely to engage in criminal violent acts than members of the general public (Cook, 2010,). Culture and ethnicity may also influence attitudes (Strategic Stigma Change 2011). Despite these public perceptions, analyses in a number of high income countries suggest that the risks of violence by someone with mental health problems are no greater than those for the general population as a whole.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Poor mental health can have a substantial adverse impact on the life of Nigeria citizens (with Dutse in particular). People with mental health problems experience prejudice and discrimination in almost every aspect of their lives. Many have said the stigma of mental ill health is more disabling than the illness itself. Research has shown that people with mental health problems are pre-judged, find it hard to get jobs and sustain friendships and relationships. Research has also shown that ignorance, fear, and stereotypes presented in the newspapers, on the TV and at the cinema, all contribute to negative attitudes towards mental ill health. Most people have little knowledge about mental illness and their opinions are often factually incorrect.

The social stigma associated with mental health problems almost certainly has multiple causes. Throughout history people with mental health problems have been treated differently not only in Dutse but every part of the world, excluded and even brutalized. This treatment may come from the misguided views that people with mental health problems may be more violent or unpredictable than people without such problems, or somehow just “different”, but none of these beliefs has any basis in fact (Swanson, et al, 1990).

Similarly, early beliefs about the causes of mental health problems, such as demonic or spirit possession, were ‘explanations’ that would almost certainly give rise to reactions of caution, fear and discrimination. Even the medical model of mental health problems is itself an unwitting source of stigmatizing beliefs. First, the medical model implies that mental health problems are on a par with physical illnesses and may result from medical or physical dysfunction in some way (when many may not be simply reducible to biological or medical causes).

This itself implies that people with mental health problems are in some way ‘different’ from ‘normally’ functioning individuals. Secondly, the medical model implies diagnosis, and diagnosis implies a label that is applied to a ‘patient’ that label may well be associated with undesirable attributes (e.g. ‘mad’ people cannot function properly in society, or can sometimes be violent), and this again will perpetuate the view that people with mental health problems are different and should be treated with caution. As such, understanding the impact of stigma and discrimination among people with mental disorder in Dutse is going to be helpful in addressing the challenge by government, policy makers and other partners.

(Swanson, et al, 1990)

1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will reflect the level of adequacy of the existing of redundancy system in gathering, processing and presenting ways to deter discrimination against person with mental disorder.

Discrimination against people with mental disorders deprives many individuals of opportunities in areas include Persons with Mental Disorders, Families and Caregivers, Mental Health Professionals, Policy Makers and Government Agencies, Community Members and Academicians and Researchers. Because the age of onset for some mental illnesses, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, is often the late teens and early twenties, stigma produces early life inequities at key transitional points in personal development and civic life (Kaiser, 2004).

1.4 AIMS AND OBJECTIVS OF THE STUDY

1.4.1 Aim of the study

The aim of this research was to determine the assessment of stigma and discrimination among persons with mental disorders in Dutse metropolitan town.

1.4.2 The Objectives of the study

The objectives of the study include:

1.      To determine the sources for discrimination among person with mental disorders

2.      To determine the way in which Dutse community perceive stigma and discrimination of persons with mental disorders in Dutse town

3.      To determine if stigma and discrimination can be reduced in Dutse town

4.      To determine the suitable target group of anti-stigma and discrimination campaign in Dutse metropolitan

1.5 Research Questions

2.      How effective are current strategies used for determining the source of stigma and discrimination among person with mental disorders.

3.      What are the possible factors that influence stigma and discrimination among person with mental disorder

4.      Is there a perceived need to improve anti-stigma and discrimination campaign in Dutse Metropolitan?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

This study was equally educating the health community on how to fight against stigma and discrimination among people with mental disorder. The study will improve inclusion amongst persons with mental disorder.

1.7 Limitation of the Research

This research study covers the information gathering and assessment discrimination among persons with mental disorders in Dutse Local Government area, Jigawa state.

With respect to data collection instruments, the study is limited to the use of questionnaire (administered to the selected group), personal interview and available relevant literature as well as written records.

1.8 Research Constrain

Financial and time constraints, which usually characterized most researches, will also makes it difficult but (not impossible) to carry out an in-depth investigation of the problems under study.

1.9 Definition of some terms

Mental health: The state of psychological well-being in which a person realizes their own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to their community. Mental health is about wellness rather than illness. Having good mental health helps you lead a relatively happy and healthy life and demonstrate resilience when facing adversities.

Well-being: The state of maintaining a balance of physical, mental, and emotional health. Well-being is strongly linked to happiness and life satisfaction and could be described as how you feel about yourself and your life. In simple terms, well-being can be described as judging life positively and feeling good.

Mental distress: The unpleasant feelings or emotions that you may have when you’re faced with stressors. When we experience daily mental distress, we can feel sad, disappointed, angry, worried, unmotivated, or overwhelmed at the moment. These experiences of stress may occur at times in our lives; they may be common and reversible, and they are usually temporary. We may not need any intervention; resilience can help us adapt by ourselves by using positive coping strategies and with support from our family or friends.

Mental health problems: Difficult experiences that make it harder for us to get on with our lives. They include the strong painful emotions and negative thoughts that may arise when someone is faced with a much larger stressor than usual. These emotions are also accompanied by substantial cognitive, physical, and behavioral difficulties. Mental health problems occur as part of normal life, for example, in response to the death of a loved one, and are not mental illnesses. People experiencing mental health problems may need extra help, such as counseling. Long-term psychotherapy is usually not necessary.

Mental illness: Mental illnesses, also referred to as mental disorders, are behavioral or mental patterns that cause significant distress or impairment of personal functioning. They are diagnosed by a trained health professional, such as a doctor, clinical psychologist, or psychiatrist, using internationally established diagnostic criteria. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition QDSMR5T lists almost 300 different mental health disorders and organizes them into broader categories. Mental disorders are viewed as irregularities or interruptions of the normal functioning of the mind or body. They may be caused by different factors, for example, genetic predispositions and family history of other diseases, traumatic life experiences, etc. But mental disorders can’t be detected by laboratory tests, and their symptoms vary widely and overlap considerably. For instance, depression and anxiety share the majority of symptoms and also tend to co-occur in what is called comorbidity.

Empathy: The ability to identify, understand, and share other people’s emotions and thoughts, see things from their point of view, and be compassionate toward them. Empathy enables pro social and helping behaviors that come from within rather than being forced, allows people to build social connections and cooperate with others, and make moral decisions.

Depression: A term is used to describe a state of low mood or a mental disorder (also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression). Clinical depression is a common serious mood disorder that causes severe symptoms, such as sadness and feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, lack of interest or pleasure in daily activities. The symptoms affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as eating, sleeping, studying, or working. A person can be diagnosed with depression if the symptoms are present for at least two weeks.

Bipolar disorder: A mental disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the ability to carry out daily tasks. It’s formerly called manic depression. There are three basic types of bipolar disorder, and all of them involve clear changes in mood that range from periods of extremely “up,” elated, and energized

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): A common, chronic, and long-lasting mental disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and/or behaviors (compulsions) that they feel the urge to repeat over and over again. People with OCD may have symptoms of obsessions, compulsions, or both. OCD affects people of all ages and walks of life and can be effectively treated with medications and psychological therapies.

Schizophrenia: A serious mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking (speech) and behavior that impairs daily functioning and can be disabling. People with schizophrenia are usually diagnosed between the ages of 16 and 30, after the first episode of psychosis. They require lifelong treatment with a combination of medicine and therapy tailored to each person.

Psychosis: A condition that affects the way the brain processes information and makes it difficult for a person to recognize what is real and what isn’t. Symptoms of psychosis include delusions, hallucinations, incoherent or nonsense speech, and behavior that is inappropriate for the situation. Psychosis can be a symptom of serious mental health disorders.

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