When a person suffers from diabetes, no one tells them to snap out of it. Similarly, if someone breaks their leg, no one says they’re faking it. Of course they don’t. But the stigma around mental illness causes many people to see mental disorders as a character failure. Those who suffer from mental health issues are often blamed for their condition and expected to “fix” themselves. This type of thinking is both erroneous and harmful.
Merriam-Webster defines stigma as “a set of negative and often unfair beliefs that a society or group of people have about something.” Stigma can be public or turned inward on the self. While the concept is somewhat elusive, the impact is very real. Mental health stigma can cause:
- Feelings of shame and worthlessness
- False beliefs about mental illness
- Reluctance to seek treatment
- Misplaced blame and responsibility
- Bullying and harassment
- Social isolation
- Housing and job discrimination
- Unemployment and poverty
- Suicide
The social stigma surrounding mental illness is more than just unfortunate, it causes harm to the individual and has a negative impact on our society as a whole.
How to fight mental health stigma
Mental health stigma is deeply embedded in our society, but if people who suffer from mental health issues, their families and friends, and mental health professionals all work together, we can change societal perception of mental illness. Although it won’t happen overnight, there are several steps we can take to reduce mental health stigma.
- Talk openly about mental health
When we lower our voices in conversation, whispering words like “depression” and “bipolar” as though they were bad words, we perpetuate the idea that these words are shameful. Talking openly helps to destigmatize mental health issues and gives others permission to share their stories and to reach out for help.
- Educate yourself about mental health disorders
In so many areas of life, ignorance feeds fear. Without factual information to go on, our brains come up with worst-case scenarios or dramatized versions of the truth as seen in the movies. In that same vein, when our understanding of mental health is distorted by ignorance and fear, it results in stigma, discrimintation, and social isolation for people with mental health disorders. The more we educate ourselves about mental illness, the better equipped we are to fight the stigma around it—and to provide help for those in need.
- Spread awareness
Misinformation spreads easily. But knowledge and true understanding can spread, too. You can help to spread awareness in a number of different ways, such as gently intervening on a conversation when you overhear derogatory remarks, starting a campaign at work, or writing a letter to the editor. Sharing your knowledge helps combat the ignorance that reinforces mental health stigma.
- Use conscious language
Words have a significant impact on how we think about things and the messages we send. For example, when we say “She’s depressed,” or “I’m bipolar,” we are unconsciously defining a person by their mental disorder. If instead we say, “She has depression,” or “I have bipolar disorder,” it serves as a reminder that the illness is only one aspect of the person. As we become more conscious of the language we use, we shift the message we share.
- Share openly about mental health treatment
Mental health treatment can change lives. Unfortunately, many people struggle with their symptoms in isolation. Even those who accept their condition may experience stigma around seeking treatment. It’s important to remember that visiting a psychiatrist for mental health issues is no more shameful than visiting a pulmonologist for respiratory issues. By discussing treatment openly, we can help destigmatize it and empower others to reach out and ask for the help they need.
There’s no shame in asking for help.
We understand how difficult it can be to ask for help, especially if you’ve been shamed for your condition. But please don’t turn the stigma inward. If you’re struggling with your mental, it’s important to reach out and ask for help. At Alvarado Parkway, we offer inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospitalization treatment programs designed to help patients manage their symptoms, optimize their mental health, and improve their quality of life. If you need help, we’re here for you. Please give us a call at 619-333-7050 or fill out our contact form today.
