We are in the midst of a mental health crisis and the way we talk about it may do more harm than good.
Most articles, scientific papers, and books on mental health point to the ubiquitous stigma of discussing or seeking mental health care or substance use disorder, while in the past stigma and shame have discouraged people from getting help.
We have long believed that speaking out against stigma will help encourage talks on healing and wider acceptance. Studies have shown that this is true - the last two decades have seen each other significant improvements in how the public perceives it Mental health.
However, while these are positive steps, they may not be enough in an increasingly dark mental health environment. The Assessment of disease control and prevention centers that 1 in 5 Americans will experience mental health challenges any year, and 50 percent of adults will be diagnosed with a mental illness at some point in their lives.
“Now is the time to create a single voice to eliminate prejudice, ignorance and shame. Now is the time to work together with other individuals and groups to create a unique and consistent message that brain disorders are not a weakness or a defect, but legitimate and treatable disorders of the body that are no different from heart disease or cancer. . ”
Mark H. Rapaport, MD, executive director, Huntsman Mental Health Institute
Combating the harmful effects of stigma
One of the challenges in overcoming the stigma of mental health is understanding where and when it happens. Mental health professionals in general group the stigma into three different types:
- Public stigma it includes inaccurate and widespread beliefs that many people generally hold.
- Self-stigma is when a person internalizes negativity and feels ashamed of his condition.
- Institutional stigma occurs when opportunities for people with mental illness are limited, intentionally or unintentionally.
Stigma manifests itself in different ways - it can start as someone who expresses a general belief that a person with a mental illness is unstable or violent. The comment then leads individuals to believe it about themselves because of their health condition. When these assumptions about mental health are widespread enough, they become codified into laws and common practice.
Together, these types of stigmas maintain a vicious circle that constantly prevents people from finding help when they need it. And while outdated beliefs begin to change, every time others discriminate or health insurance does not adequately cover treatments, a person feels reluctant to seek help and the stigma still lives on.
There are many ways to address the stigma of mental health and overcome its effects:
Accept the change in yourself
The first place to fight stigma and prejudice is in ourselves. Education on mental illness, recourse to local resources and share our challenges with others are great places to start.
Many people fall into the trap of believing that their condition is the result of personal weakness or that they need to be sharper in order for their problems to go away. While we may be reluctant to seek professional help, overcoming stigma will help us learn to better manage the mental health challenges that can affect our lives.
Change the conversation about mental health
Individuals have to deal with stigma when they encounter it. Speaking when others express stigmatized opinions or share medically informed views in public spaces will help others feel empowered to address stigma and discrimination.
Ensuring that people can talk about their challenges will continue to redirect the conversation to building the foundations of mental health. Approach conversations in the same way you would talk about physical health - without judgment and care.
Reach out to others
After more than two years of social distancing, it is clear that interpersonal relationships exist critical to our mental well-beingg. As we begin to emerge from the confines of the COVID-19 pandemic, our focus should be on strengthening the relationships that sustain us. Sharing important resources about building mental health will help open the door to meaningful conversations.
Other ways to keep up with your mental well-being may include checking on friends and family, helping neighbors, or joining a support group with chapters across the country, such as National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI). Strategies - including awareness, improving sleep, eating well-balanced meals and reducing stress - with friends, family and co-workers can help people think in terms of strength, not illness. There are times to focus on urgent medical needs, but normalizing mental health conversations will help people forget about any stigma.
We can and must change the conversation about mental health, especially since stigma and discrimination continue to prevent people from addressing their psychological needs. Starting a conversation is the first step, and normalizing a conversation is what will lead millions who struggle with mental illness every day to a healthier life.