Raising awareness in relation to negative attitudes towards those who catch infectious diseases is important

Cyprus International University (CIU) Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology Academic Staff, Assist. Prof. Dr. Manolya Çalışır, explained that regardless of the different geographies, ethnic origin, country, language, religion, or race, that the Covid-19 epidemic negatively affected many people, drawing attention in this context to the negative attitudes that may occur towards the individual and at a social level towards people affected by the pandemic.

Providing information in relation to the stigmatization in the field of mental health, Çalışır stated that due to the faulty and negatively evaluated definition and characteristics of a person or group with a certain disease, disparaging, hostile and discriminatory attitudes are developed towards this person/s.

Assist. Prof. Dr. Çalışır emphasized that gaining a social awareness in relation to labelling and preventing discrimination in relation to infectious diseases, those who catch an infectious disease or those who are susceptible to catching an infectious disease is important and noted that individuals may think that they are no longer a member of the society to which they feel connected to, as a result of such stigmas.

"Individuals withdraw when they need support the most"
Elaborating that individuals feel lonely due to this exclusionary attitude and in fact, they become withdrawn from their environment when they would normally require social / emotional support the most, Çalışır went on to say, “As well as arousing feelings of pessimism or anxiety in the individual, this situation can also reveal issues such as guilt, shame, anxiety and fear in relation to the future, and anger towards themselves and those individuals in their environments”.

Assist. Prof. Dr. Çalışır pointed out the importance of preventing such possible negative situations and indicated that all communication channels should pay attention to the language used when talking in reference to the coronavirus epidemic, including social media.

Reminding that people have an identity far beyond a Covid-19 diagnosis, Çalışır concluded, “An understanding and supportive attitude should be displayed towards everyone affected and when discriminatory or false information is shared about individuals who have or are struggling with the disease, it should be corrected appropriately, and the dissemination of such information and attitudes must be prevented”.