“Oh, did you know her? She has been diagnosed with a mental illness. It’s so sad because she’ll never get better.”
Imagine that someone said that to you. What are your initial thoughts? It kind of sounds like a concern and a pity, right? But if you’ll dissect what was said, that is mental illness stigma. This stigma starts from the goody goody concerned things they say but in reality it has underlying negative points.
As we celebrate the #MenalIllnessAwarenessWeek, let us fully understand everything about mental illnesses.
What is “Mental Illness Stigma”?
Mental illness stigma is the negative attitudes and beliefs that people have about mental illness. This is a problem that needs to be addressed. Every day of our lives we encounter this, from the moment you pity someone who has PTSD until the moment an autistic person is not hired despite having the skills and education for the job.
What Are the Negative Impacts of Mental Illness Stigma?
We’ve finalized the three most negative impacts one can receive from a mental illness stigma. Here are the following:
1. Keeps from people seeking help.
The stigma of mental illness can be even more harmful than the illness itself. It can prevent you from getting the help you need and can make you feel like you are alone in your struggle. You might get afraid to tell others about your mental illness because you don’t want to be judged or treated differently.
2. Develops more negative emotions
Because of the stigma, it can make you feel ashamed, embarrassed, and even hopeless. It can also make you feel like you are not worthy of help or that you are not capable of getting better.
3. Leads to discrimination.
Mental illness stigma is a problem because it can lead to discrimination. People with mental illness may be treated differently by their family, friends, and others in their community. They may also have trouble getting a job or housing.
How to Fight Mental Illness Stigma?
There are many ways to fight mental illness stigma. Education is one of the most important tools. By educating yourself and others about mental illness, you can help to break down the barriers that the stigma creates. You can try reading this book titled “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” by Ned Vizzini, I’ve personally read this and I know that it can help you understand the lives of someone who has a mental illness.
Another way to fight mental illness stigma is by talking about your own experiences with mental illness to help others understand that they are not alone. But of course only do this if you’re comfortable with it.
And lastly, the best way to fight mental illness stigma is to seek help. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness, don’t hesitate to seek help. There are many resources available to you and we, STACS, are one of them. You are not alone in this fight.
Shirley Therapeutic and Consulting Services, LLC is a diverse therapy clinic that can meet the needs of anyone. If you’d like to talk about your mental health, feel free to message us here. In case of emergency or thoughts of suicide, please click on this link: https://www.sprc.org/states/georgia
