Mental illness taboo

As part of the research section for this studio brief, I am going to look into subject areas of personal interest as well as those that may be less likely thought of. Due to looking at a larger issue subject matter in COP2, focusing on a large scale issue for this module is going to be avoided. 

Mary O'Hara, theguaridan.com Mental health is strongest taboo, says research

- 'In a survey of 2,000 people across Britain, almost 30% said they would find it difficult to admit publicly to having a mental illness, compared with 20% who said they would have difficulty coming out as gay.'

- 'the survey also found that admitting to a mental health condition was deemed harder than confessing to having a drink problem or going bankrupt.'

- "Perhaps it's no surprise that a separate study found fewer than four in 10 employers would feel able to employ someone with a mental health problem," the study's authors say.

- "The figures paint a bleak picture that reflects a Britain where mental health problems can stop you getting a job, having social interaction and getting on with life because they are so stigmatised."

- '20% of women said they would break up with a partner who was diagnosed with the condition'


Breaking the mental health taboo, bbc.co.uk/news/business-38211107

- "Society, the world in which I was operating, the country in which I was operating, it was taboo."


Why we need to STOP treating mental health as such a taboo, Cosmopolitan.co.uk, Catriona Harvey-Jenner, 4 feb 16

- 'For some reason, society has made it impossibly difficult for those suffering from mental health problems to be open about it.'

- 'A person should feel just as able to discuss their struggles with schizophrenia as they would a grazed knee.'

- 'Time To Change carried out some research, speaking to more than 7,000 people with mental health problems, and discovered that nearly two thirds had been left feeling isolated (64%), worthless (61%) and ashamed (60%) because of the discrimination they have previously faced.'

Each of the quotes have been taken from internet articles posted around the topic of mental illness taboo. This is a current issue that is becoming more and more relevant and spoken about in society however the issue is still present that people do not feel comfortable/confident enough to speak out/about mental illness.