NEWS: Stigma is Running Through the Roof as Russia Forbid Transgenders to Drive

author's opinion

By: Anna Agoncillo
   Image Credits: Tim Evanson via Flickr          
In order to reduce road accidents, Russia has banned people with mental disorders from driving. Said conditions include: transgender, fetishism, exhibitionism, voyeurism, and pathological gambling.

 The Head of the Professional Drivers Union named Alexander Kotov believes that toughening medical requirements for applicants is fully justified.

 Even though the road deaths are rampant and unavoidable, does that give us the right to discriminate the abilities of people with mental health?

Social Psychology and Victim Blaming: Why you gotta be so rude?

attribution
By: Anna Agoncillo and Genesis | mypsychobabbles.com
The news about rape in the Philippines has been rampant these past few months. More so, survey showed that the trend of victims each year has been increasing (PNP Women and Children Protection Center, 2013).
(C) GMA News Philippines, 2014
In 2012, approximately 346,830 women were raped, as a result, there were about 17, 342 unwanted pregnancies (U.S. Department of Justice, 2013). You can’t rule out men just yet, most of them suffer in silence too. In 2003, 1 in every 10 rape victims were male.

These numbers are from United States and Philippines alone. Imagine how many individuals were raped globally. Furthermore, these are from reported victims. How about those who kept it from others due to social misogyny and shame? Maybe the statistics thereafter will double or even triple. Indeed, it’s very alarming, horrifying and disappointing.

In this video, you’ll see how hard it is to be sexually assaulted especially in a place you call home and by someone whom you call mom or dad.

Depression, Awareness and Coping: Know depression, No Stigma

author's opinion
By: Anna Agoncillo and BreakDStigma
Image Credits: Mateus Lucena via Flickr
Understanding the Big D
1 in 17 people in Singapore languished Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) at some point in their lives (Institute of Mental Health, 2013). Despite its prevalence, only a few people seek help because they are afraid of the social stigma or labels that can be placed on them.

We as human beings fear the unknown. Hence, the lack of adequate knowledge on mental illnesses lead to increase in fear, negative sentiments, and social stigma.

This is why, it is very important to educate society and heighten awareness about how serious depression is. Understanding depression will help build a more empathetic and supportive environment wherein depressed individuals will feel safe to share their experiences and seek treatment.

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