The stigma associated with mental health has the greatest contribution from the media. Media portrays those with a mental illness as erratic, dangerous, unpredictable, and incapable. Because the media portrays mental illness in this manner, it causes people to begin to associate these characteristics with any mentally ill patient. It complicates the lives those who suffer greatly. Although media plays a huge role in the stigma behind mental illness, I also believe that a lack of understanding can also contribute to the association. The misleading portrayl of patients with mental illness in TV shows or movies causes the public to believe exactly what they are seeing. The picture that society paints of a mentally ill patient causes the world to discriminate against them and blame them for their illness. The public stigma that society has created associated with mental illness causes those who suffer to experience self- stigma. Self- stigma is when the patient internalizes the negative stereotypes surrounding mental illness. The stereotypes surrounding mental illness causes these patients to be misunderstood. This misunderstanding makes everything harder for them. For example, employers may not hire them,  landlords may not rent to them, and health care workers may not care to their best ability. These actions of society destroys the self esteem of the individual. It makes them feel unworthy and they apply the negativity associated with mental illness to themselves. Sterotypes associate with mental illness has a ripple effect. It begins with the negative portrayl of a mentally ill individual, leading to public stigma, then progressing to self-stigma. Self- stigma has many harmful effects in recovery of those with mental illness and will steer them away from treatment. 

A person’s culture can greatly impact their response to mental illness. There are different views on mental illness and how to cope with it based on culture. There is something called the cultural idiom of distress which is a term used to describe the suffering within a cultural group based on cultural explanations. For example, Hispanic individuals use the word “nervios” as the cause for a variety of symptoms including headache, irritability, nervousness, insomnia, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms could also be seen in mentally ill patients but is masked by a cultural belief. Additionally, there are some cultures who create a stigma around seeking health care, specifically African Americans and Hispanics. They will only visit health care professionals if all other resources have been used, which will delay recovery. Also, there are cultures who refuse to believe that mental illness exists. The Asian cultures has a tradition of disguising or denying the presence of mental illness and shame those who are treated for it. Belief and spirituality may also impact an individuals response to mental illness. Different religious beliefs will approach mental illness differently. Some may seek direct help, while some believe that a greater being will heal them. Understanding the patients religious beliefs and spiritualities will help to find a common course of treatment for the patient.