Stigma And Mental Health: 7 Tips to Stop Stigma Around Mental Health

Introduction

For years now, the stigma around mental health has prevented people from talking about it. The fear that others will judge them is so strong that they prefer to suffer than to open up and get help about it. It is important to bring a change to this mindset so that everyone feels comfortable about seeking help and openly expressing their mental health without experiencing any shame or guilt.

Stigma And Mental Health

Often people with mental health issues are looked down upon. This negative outlook toward people suffering from mental health concerns has led to people refraining from sharing, expressing, and getting help and in turn contributing to their neglect. A common notion around mental health has been that of embarrassment, “What will others think?”, “It will bring shame to the family”. 

People worry and fear that mental health problems will not just make them but also their families look bad, that it would cause humiliation, and this is why they choose to live with unresolved mental health conditions rather than taking support for it. The stigma around mental health stems from the false belief that being mentally unwell is a sign of weakness or dysfunction in the family. These narratives prevent people from seeking professional help.

The Stigma Of Mental Illness

With stigma around mental illness, one of the common problems is the mistreatment which people with mental health conditions face. It’s often seen that they struggle with being left out of social activities and have trouble finding decent jobs. A common thought or fear which is associated with someone having a mental illness and openly taking help for it is that of bringing dishonour to the family. This fear makes the individuals hide their struggles, leading to loneliness and isolation. As an example, we might see or know a person struggling with anxiety or depression, but they avoid seeking help due to the stigma that if they take help, they might not be able to get a good job, or it might make their parents upset. This pressure to appear strong and happy can make it difficult for the person to admit they need help, reinforcing the idea that mental illness is something to be ashamed of.

Stigma Of Mental Illness Examples

• A Professional individual hides their therapy sessions or visits to psychiatrists from their spouses and family in fear of being judged as unstable or not being supported through the treatment. 
• Often, young adults do not express their mental health concerns or the fact that they are taking professional support for it to their parents as it might not be encouraged or seen as something which can affect their family’s reputation negatively. 

These examples show how deeply the fear of judgement of having a mental illness can affect an individual. It pushes them to hide their struggles and avoid seeking help. This not only worsens their mental health it also perpetuates the stigma, making it harder for them and others to speak up.

Effects Of Mental Health Stigma 

The stigma around mental can have detrimental effects on your overall health. 

1. Delay in seeking help: People often wait for prolonged periods of time before they take any steps towards seeking help, which might worsen the condition. 
2. Stigma as a barrier: Stigma can hinder the process of receiving good mental health care. 
3. Community stigma affecting funding and support: A negative view of mental health by the community can impact the funding and support for mental health services. 
4. Discrimination leading to worthlessness and isolation: Often, individuals with mental health conditions face discrimination from the community and workplace, which leads to them experiencing feelings of worthlessness and isolation. 
5. Increased risk of harassment and violence: Individuals with mental health conditions are also more prone to face harassment and be victims of physical violence and bullying. 

A strong association between mental health conditions and the stigma which surrounds it stops individuals from seeking the right kind of support, which leads to an increase in their stress and deterioration of their mental health. 

How to Stop the Stigma Around Mental Health 

1. Psychoeducation: Education is the key. Talk about mental health openly and spread awareness around it. 
2. Debunking myths: Understanding mental health and breaking down the myths around it will help one understand that mental health is equally important as physical health if not more.
3. Building a community by sharing: People sharing experiences and journeys through their mental health struggles will give others a sense of hope and reduce the perceived shame around it. 
4. Safe space: A space where people speak freely and safely about their mental health concerns.
5. Empathy and compassion: Practising empathy and compassion towards an individual struggling with mental health concerns goes a long way in helping them cope better with their illness.
6. Mindful communication: Being conscious of the words and language you use to address mental health illness. 
7. Policy building: Stressing on having policies that work towards improving mental health care and protecting people with mental illness from discrimination. 
8. Seeking help: Reach out when you feel that you are struggling it does not in any way make you appear weak. 

Conclusion

Removing the stigma around mental health is not a one-person job. Having compassion and empathy, educating ourselves and the people around us and encouraging people to have open dialogues around mental health is important. We need to break these barriers and create a place where mental and physical health are given equal importance, ensuring a stigma-free future.

References:

1. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination
2. Corrigan PW, Watson AC. Understanding the impact of stigma on people with mental illness. World Psychiatry. 2002 Feb;1(1):16-20. PMID: 16946807; PMCID: PMC1489832.