Argumentative Writing Project!
by: Matthew Lowry
The Thesis:
The mental illness should not be a stigma and reducing the stigma of mental illness is the key to treating it.
The Main Points of Each Article
- girl scouts: one in every four people in the U.S. is diagnosed with a mental illness
- girl scouts: mental illness is more prevalent than diabetes or cancer
- backbone: the stereotype of all people with a mental illness as 'not able' is just wrong
- backbone: stigma is considered a major obstacle to effective treatment for many Americans who experience these devastating illnesses
- postpartum: women are getting treated horribly, there's still stigma, they're still not getting the right kind of help
- postpartum: "when i realize that what we're doing is not only raising awareness but facilitating people into treatment, that we are convincing them that it's okay to call and ask for help, i (know) we've hit on something," she said
Sources
- "Girl Scouts Engage in the Fight Against Mental Illness Stigma with Mental Health Awareness Patch" by the Mental Health Weekly Digest 9/23/13
- "IU Study: 'Backbone' of mental illness stigma common in 16 countries studied" by the Mental Health Weekly Digest, 4/22/13
- "Postpartum Depression: One Mom's mission becomes a Movement" by CNN Wire, 7/8/14
Article's Position and Supporting Details
The Girl Scouts are trying to change the stigma caused by mental illness. They can earn a merit badge called the Mental Health Awareness patch. "Over 500 patches have been awarded to over 500 girl scouts nationwide." "The goals of the Mental Health Awareness Patch program is to educate and thereby eradicate the stigma."
The backbone of mental illness is to reduce the stigma of mental illness. So that people will not be afraid to seek help or treatment. "Even in countries with cultures more accepting of mental illness, the backbone of the stigma was detected"
There is a stigma for women involving postpartum. This does not make them a bad mother. Just one who needs help. "The spectrum of illness goes beyond depression, which people don't realize"
My Own Analysis
The best solution for people with mental illness is to seek treatment. The reason why many people don't is because of the stigma. What we should do is reduce the stigma through education and awareness. The girl scouts raise awareness of the mental illness stigma. We as a community should join together to vanquish the prejudice. The postpartum mental illness for women is a major illness and should be made more aware of the people today. Also the backbone of mental illness has come to 16 different countries and is spreading rapidly.
The Opposition
- There is no REAL stigma for mental illness.
- yes there is. Mental illness stigma is real and often considered a stereotype.
- How can we get rid of the stigma for mental illness?
- We can all work together to reduce the stigma by raising awareness for it and not treating it as a stereotype.
- What is the purpose of the backbone illness?
- The purpose is to raise awareness and to eliminate all stigma of mental illness.