QUESTION

This topic of the paper is the following: Choose a social group whose lives are circumscribed by oppression. In what ways have people in this group historically and currently experienced this oppression? As a social policy advocate, what changes would you advocate for to promote social justice, equity, and inclusion for this group?

ANSWER

How Oppression circumscribes the Mentally Ill Lives

The mentally ill group contains people affected by mental disorders, hence their reduced judgment capacity. Communities deem that people with mental illness make environments unsafe and a threat to themselves, calling for segregation. The media also influences the societal view of mental illness as it connects mental disorders with violence or links people with mental conditions to vicious, evil, or dangerous activities, contributing to the social influence that the group cannot live a normal life. The type of oppression faced by mentally ill people (classism) makes the mentally ill feel belittled in society due to their mental incapacity, influencing stigma. The mentally ill group’s lives are oppressed by societal stigma and discrimination, making them feel unwanted in society and worsening their mental conditions. Therefore, an understanding of the impact of social stigma and discrimination is significant in improving the lives of the mentally ill.

Societal stigma and discrimination against the mentally ill affect their ability to find jobs. Employers consider a candidate’s mental capacity before hiring in the employment sector. Individuals considered to have mental illness after hiring face a reevaluation of their duties and responsibilities in a work environment to determine their reliability. The prior and post-assessment of mentally ill people results from historical societal and media opinions on mental conditions (Mannarini & Rossi, 2019). Since people perceive groups ruled to have mental disorders as incompetent to comprehend situations and make sound judgments, this group is considered incapable of supporting others in the employment industry, hence their discrimination and difficulty in finding work.

The mentally ill face discrimination in social places; they experience limited access to social services. In social and public places, people always look out for mentally challenged people through unsound and dangerous behaviors. Persons who display vicious and harmful actions in social gatherings face mental evaluation to determine their treatment and public relationships (Pescosolido et al., 2021; Subu et al., 2021). Society views them as persons with difficulty handling steady and long-term relations, contributing to avoidance and segregation upon detection of a mental condition. Like a deadly virus, the mentally ill face stigma and discrimination as people fear relating to them to avoid endangering their lives, hence fewer social interactions.

Communities deem that mentally incapacitated people should live in mental health institutions and not in decent houses within their neighborhoods. Although landlords and property owners fail to evaluate their tenant’s mental capacity before engaging in a housing contract, once a mental condition is discovered as a possible threat to their tenant’s lives, the person experiences immediate evacuation as a tactic for protecting the neighbors within the mentally ill person’s reach. Since people deem mental disorders a threat to an individual’s life and the people within the given environment, mentally ill people face a depreciated life (Mannarini & Rossi, 2019). They are compelled to live in less decent houses away from communities and populated regions or mental health facilities for their peace of mind and to avoid discrimination, which has a negative impact on their lives.

Public discrimination against mentally ill groups without comprehending the root of the problem intimidates the affected persons. People born with sound minds acquire mental disorders due to social influences and pressure, such as divorce, car accidents, getting fired, or losing a loved one. The impact of the stressors influences mental disorientation, leading to adverse actions and behaviors displayed by the affected persons. In short, the mentally ill group feels intimidated when society ignores their social pressure and the cause of their mental health disorientation but focuses on their actions to discriminate against accessing similar or previous privileges with other persons.

As a social policy advocate, I campaign against stigmatization of the mentally ill group to ensure they fit in society. Stigmatization of mentally ill people devalues, discredits, and shames them because of the condition they possess (Subu et al., 2021). The stigma influences undesirable social experiences, including rejection, marginalization, discrimination, and isolation. Instead of promoting the wellness of mentally challenged persons, societal treatment and perspective further damage the affected persons’ mental wellness. Creating an inclusive environment for this group ensures their access to social justice in the face of discrimination.

Besides, advocating for the inclusion of the mentally ill group creates an equitable platform in the employment sector. Rather than employers losing their valued staff for a mental disorder caused by social pressure, such as the loss of a loved one, the employer should consider giving the affected person space for recovery. I advocate for understanding the root of the mental disorientation of affected persons before termination, ensuring equitable opportunities, and preventing isolation and disgrace.

In conclusion, the media influences the negative societal view of the mentally ill. The media links people with mental concerns to dangerous behaviors, advocating for their discrimination, leading to their isolation, marginalization, and rejection. Stigmatization worsens a diagnosed mental condition. It makes the affected individuals feel less valued, creating a shameful state due to being denied access to decent jobs, housing, and social gatherings. Hence, as a social policy advocate, I campaign against stigmatization to promote an inclusive, just, and equitable environment for mentally ill people.