• Briefly explain Corrigan's model of the stages of stigma and his recommendations and hierarchy about recovery.
• Explain whether Delle's experience follows that model. Use specific examples to argue your perspective. If you agree, identify which stage of recovery Delle is in.
• Analyze Delle's reports about his own experiences with both types of stigma. Provide specific examples, and in your analysis consider the following questions:
• Does one type of stigma predominate in his talk?
• Which of Delle's personal values or beliefs were challenged by his internalizations about his own illness and help-seeking?
• What strengths does he exhibit?
• What was the primary benefit of his diagnosis?
• Do you think his experience would be different if his culture was different? Explain why or why not?

 

Q1.

Corrigan's model of the stages of stigma and his recommendations and hierarchy about recovery.

People with mental illness have long experienced prejudice and discrimination. Corrigan and colleagues integrated several aspects of stigma into a progressive model of self-stigma. The three major stages identified are: the awareness of stereotypes (perception of public stigma), personal agreement (believing public stigma to be true), and self-concurrence (internalizing stereotypes and applying them to oneself). The two main assumptions about the model are: (a) "trickle down" nature, i.e., the highest endorsement for stereotype awareness, followed by lower endorsements and (b) the proximal stages (e.g. stereotype awareness and personal agreement) are expected to be more strongly associated than more distant stages (e.g., stereotype awareness and self-concurrence). (See Img 1)

According to the stage model the process of internalising public stigmas as occurring through a series of stages and it successively follows one another. In the general model, a person with an undesired condition is aware of public stigma about their condition (Awareness). This person may then agree that these negative public stereotypes are true about the group (Agreement). Subsequently, the person concurs that these stereotypes apply to him/herself (Application). This may lead to harm, to significant decreases in self-esteem and self-efficacy. Hence the stage model shows pernicious effects of stigma on the self do not occur until later stages. Not until the person applies the stigma, does harm to self-esteem or self-efficacy occur.

 About recovery and in trying to help people learn to overcome self-stigma, he advocates need to make sure they do not suggest that the stigmatisation is the person's fault. Stigma is a social injustice and an error of society. Hence eradicating it is the responsibility, and should be the priority, of that society. Recovery involves the establishment of a fulfilling, meaningful life and a positive sense of dentity founded on hopefulness and self-determination. Recovery is often referred to as a process, outlook, vision, and conceptual framework or guiding principle .Recovery model aims to help people with mental health problems to look beyond mere survival and existence, and that it encourages them to move forward, set new goals and do things and develop relationships that give their lives meaning. Recovery emphasises that, while people may not have full control over their symptoms, they can have full control over their lives. ( see Img 2)

Q2)

After listening to the narration, one could clearly say that Dalle's self stigma if formed by internalizing the social or public perception about the mental illness. He believed that those who are mentally ill follow a particular lifestyle which he considered as shameful and not meaningful. That is why he said he felt very shameful when asked to consult mental health professional.

His culture and society plays a major role in moulding the stereotypes , which he then internalised and latter become self stigma.

Self-stigma occurs when people internalize these public attitudes and suffer numerous negative consequences as a result.

Public stigma refers to the general population agreeing with stereotypes and reacting with discrimination against people with mental illness. The literature differentiates two types of public stigma: (a) perceived public stigma (also called stereotype awareness) refers to one's perception of the attitudes and behaviours of others towards depression, and (b) personal stigma (also called internalised stigma or personal agreement) refers to one's own attitudes towards depression. 

One could say that he is in the fifth and final stage of recovery, Broadcasting, where he is no-more ashamed about he condition and proud to let the world know how he coped. He also want the world to adopt different views and avoid stereotypes and stigmas which ostracise those whoo require mental health assistance.

Q3

Analyze Delle's reports about his own experiences with both types of stigma. Provide specific examples, and in your analysis consider the following questions:

• Does one type of stigma predominate in his talk?
• Which of Delle's personal values or beliefs were challenged by his internalizations about his own illness and help-seeking?
• What strengths does he exhibit?
• What was the primary benefit of his diagnosis?
• Do you think his experience would be different if his culture was different? Explain why or why not?

In the TED Talk by Sangu Delle, he emphasises on stigmas around mental health and seeking assistance. Though in his personal case what he had gone through was self stigmatisation about mental health and seeking help, in the video he also spoke about how the society ostracises individuals having mental health issues. Hence the talk revolves around the threat of public stigma, as well as self-stigma, though his personal issue was about self stigma, which restricted him from seeking assistance even after having a highly supportive family and friends. It is essential to openly discuss about mental health and seeking assistance, since stigmas prevent individuals from receiving the mental health treatment they needed. 

By internalizing his own illness and help-seeking, he challenged his beliefs that Masculinity means not asking assistance and one address all their personal problems without seeking any support or assistance from others.

(His strengths) He is a very service oriented person, which is exhibited by his concern for his schizophrenic friend, his empathy towards him and desire to help him even though his family and community rejected him due the social stigmas associated with the condition. After his diagnosis, his strongly held views about the mental health illness changed and this helped him to serve himself and others better and also made him understand that seeking assistance is not less of masculinity and this is extremely important to lead a better life.

His experience might be entirely different if he is in a western culture, it is less likely to say that in west there is no stigma, but from his narratives the service of mental health professionals and awareness about it is very limited in his country. Thus according to the stage model of stereotype, people with mental illness in the culture have long experienced prejudice and discrimination. They were often ridiculed and declined the medical attention which was required to improve their condition.

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