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jrlewis's picture

Questions and Refinement after Monday Night

Submitted by jrlewis on Wed, 09/17/2008 - 1:55pm.
My definition of mental health consists of two criteria: personal and societal.  Yet I am unsure how to treat the tension between them.  For example, a person who appears to be a normal individual, making meaningful contributions to society, and also seeking attention for their mental state.  Should society accept that this person has privileged access to their own mental status?  And consequently, pay for their therapy?  Conversely, ought society force people who do not conform to the cultural norms to undergo therapy?  Could this situation be resolved with the removal of the stigma associated with mental illness?  It appears to me that determining how much diversity can be tolerated by society is a slippery slope. 

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