Mental Health and Social Stigma

What is stigma?

Stigma is when an individual  sees you in a negative way due to a specific characteristic or attribute (such as cultural background, a disability, skin color, or a mental illness). When anyone treats you in a negative way because of your psychological illness, this is discrimination.

 

Stigma happens when a person defines other people by their illness rather than who they are as a person. For example, they are commonly labeled psychotic rather than a person experiencing psychosis.

 

There is a close relation between mental health and social stigma. Mental health issues get worse due to social stigma and discrimination and stop people from getting help they need.

What is social stigma?

Social stigma is the term given when social, physical or mental conditions of a person impacts other people’s views of them or their behaviors towards them. Members of the public may be hesitant with someone with epilepsy.

 

Examples of stigma in mental health

When a person with a mental illness is called ‘incompetent’ ‘crazy’ or ‘dangerous’, rather than ill, it is an example of a stigma in mental health.

 

It’s also a stigma when someone with psychological issues is mocked or called weak for getting help.

 

Stigma commonly involves inaccurate stereotypes. People with mental illness can be portrayed as being more violent than the rest of society. An individual with anxiety may be labeled as being dastardly rather than having an illness.

 

People experiencing depression may be said to snap out of it. People with schizophrenia are mistakenly described as having a split personality. All these are examples of stigma against people with mental health issues.

 

What causes stigma?

 Stigma is caused from a lack of knowledge of mental illness (misinformation and ignorance), and also because some people have negative beliefs or attitudes towards it (prejudice). This can cause discrimination against people with mental disorders.

 

Even a few mental health professionals have negative beliefs or attitudes about the people they care for.

 

Media can also play a important role in reinforcing a stigma by:

• characterizing inaccurate stereotypes about individuals with a mental illness

• sensationalizing situations through irrational references to mental illness

• using hostile or demeaning language

 

For example, if a part of the media associates psychological issues with violence, that elevates the myth that all people having mental illness are dangerous. In fact, some research shows people with mental health issues are more likely to be victims than offenders of violence.

 

The harmful effects of stigma

Some of the harmful effects of stigma include:

• feelings of hopelessness, shame, and isolation

• reluctance to ask for treatment or to get help

• lack of understanding by friends, family, or others

• less opportunities for social interaction or employment

• bullying, harassment or physical violence

• self-doubt – the faith that you will never overcome your mental illness or be able to get or achieve what you want in your life.

How does social stigma affect mental health?

For people with mental health issues, social stigma and discrimination they face can make their issues worse, making it difficult to recover. Social stigma affects mental health because it may cause the individual to avoid seeking the help they need because of the fear or dread of being stigmatized.

 

How to reduce stigma associated with mental health

Here are some steps to cope with mental health issues linked with social stigma:

 

Get treatment. You may be hesitant to admit you need treatment. Don’t let the fear of being known for a mental illness prevent you from getting help. Treatment can provide comfort by identifying what’s wrong and minimizing symptoms that interfere with your personal life and work.

 

Don’t let stigma create shame and self-doubt. Stigma doesn’t only come from others. You may have a false belief that your condition is a sign of weakness or that you should be capable of controlling it without help. Educating yourself about your condition, seeking counseling,  and connecting with other people who have mental illness can help you overcome destructive self-judgment and gain self-esteem.

 

Don’t isolate yourself. If you have a psychological issue, you may be hesitant to tell anyone about it. Your friends, family, members of your community or clergy can offer you support if they know about your mental illness. Reach out to people you trust for the support, compassion, and understanding you need.

 

Don’t identify yourself with your illness. You are not a disease. So instead of calling yourself I’m bipolar, say I have bipolar disorder. Instead of saying a schizophrenic, say I have schizophrenia.

 

Join a support group. Some local and national groups, like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), offer internet resources and local programs that assist reduce stigma by educating people who have mental health issues, their families and the general public. Some programs and state and federal agencies, such as those that concentrate on vocational convalescence and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), offer help and support for people with psychological issues.

 

Get help at school. If you or your child has a psychological issue that affects learning, find out what programs and plans might help. Discrimination against students due to a mental illness is against the law, and teachers at primary, secondary and college levels are required to assist students as best they can. Talk to professors,  teachers, or administrators about the best resources and approach. If a teacher doesn’t know about the disability of a  student, it can lead to discrimination, hurdles to learning and bad grades.

 

Speak out against stigma. Consider expressing your thoughts and opinions at events, on the internet or in letters to the editor. It can help inspire courage in others facing identical challenges and educate the public about mental health problems.

 

Judgments of others almost always originate from a lack of understanding rather than knowledge based on facts. Learning to accept your illness and recognize what you should do to treat it, getting support, and helping educate other people can make a big difference.

 

Summary

Mental health and social stigma are closely related. Stigma is a complicated issue that is well-documented but difficult to overcome.

 

However, there are some steps that a person fighting mental health stigma can take, such as searching for an advocate who can support them with financial matters and work issues. They can also educate other people by sharing their experiences to promote more understanding of mental health conditions.

 

Importantly, everybody has a role in dispersing mental health stigma. People should teach themselves about mental health issues, and better understand what life is like for those living with these issues. By doing so, they can help banish commonly held stereotypes and myths both in themselves and others.

 

Through understanding and education, we can reduce the stigma around mental illness, and there is help and support available to people who are presently experiencing stigma.