Stigmatization of Mental illness and Physical adversities

 Brogan Victor

April 22, 2022


Stigmatization of Mental illness and Physical Adversities 

Many people with mental illness and physical adversities are often looked down upon in society. Society views those people as helpless and pitiful. For example, a person who suffers from a mental illness like schizophrenia has much less of a chance of getting hired at a job than a person without mental illness. Studies have found that this stigma occurs because society lacks knowledge of mental illnesses and physical adversities. Stereotypes are also due to the lack of knowledge. Some may see a blind person and think that they need assistance and are helpless. when walking around by themselves. When in reality, many people who are blind or have any other physical adversities are just as able to do daily tasks as anyone else.
One specific disability that is most stigmatized is autism. Many believe that people with autism are out of control and are failed versions of normal. Steve Silberman wrote an article on how people with autism are different and not less. He states that "Inclusion does not mean simply inviting people with disabilities into our workplaces, classrooms, and communities as a compassionate gesture. It’s about ensuring that every member of our society is given the greatest chance for success.” (Silberman, 2016). Silberman also discusses the lack of research about autism. One topic we discussed in class was the lack of training cops receive to handle someone with autism. On the show Atypical, the main character has autism and there is an episode that features him being stopped by a police officer. When the main character gets nervous and resists the cop's orders, the cop tackles the main character and yells at him. This episode brought a lot of awareness about how dangerous a lack of knowledge can be. Human dignity can be restored to those with mental illness and physical adversities by society taking time out of their life and actually learning about these things and not just following the stigmas and stereotypes they hear.  




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