Overview of stigma

Stigma refers to the social discrimination, self-deprecation or shame that patients suffer due to illness or health problems. It is common among people with mental illness, infectious diseases (such as HIV/AIDS) or chronic diseases. Its main manifestations are social rejection, patient self-denial and delay in seeking medical treatment, which can be divided intosocial stigma(prejudice of others) andself-stigma(Internalizing negative labels). Research shows that stigma can aggravate illness and affect recovery (source: WHO "Mental Health Report"). The following is its core content structure:

The formation mechanism of stigma

Stigma often stems from society's misunderstanding or stigmatization of the disease. For example, people with mental illness are often labeled as "dangerous" and "uncontrollable" (Source: Goffman, "Stigma: Notes on Managing Impaired Identity"). Media rendering and cultural concepts (such as "depression is hypocritical") further reinforce prejudice. Research has found that China has about50% of patients with depressionRefusal to seek medical treatment due to shame (data: Chinese Journal of Mental Health 2021).

How to deal with stigma?

1.public education: Eliminate misunderstandings through popular science, such as the public welfare project "Mental Health Partnership Program";
2.legal protection: The Mental Health Law explicitly prohibits discrimination against patients;
3.psychological intervention: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps patients rebuild their self-confidence (Case: "Destigmatization Team" of Beijing Anding Hospital).

Summary and appeal

Stigma is an invisible obstacle to disease recovery and requires cooperation from all parties in society to eliminate it. like a starQiao RenliangParents openly talk about their son's depression, promoting public discussion (Source: CCTV "News Investigation"). Enterprises such asPfizer,NovartisIt also helps patients through drug research and development and public welfare activities. Only by reducing prejudice can true “health equality” be achieved.

Citing sources
1. World Health Organization (WHO) "Mental Health Report"
2. Goffman, "Stigma: Notes on Managing a Damaged Identity"
3. "Chinese Journal of Mental Health" 2021 issue
4. CCTV’s “News Investigation” program