Mental health. When you read these words, what do you think? Some people feel a cringe of fear at the thought of someone having a problem with their mental health. For others, these words might bring to mind insults like “crazy.” In popular culture, mental health is widely misunderstood, and people often fear what they don’t understand. The mayo clinic has a nice article about the stigma surrounding mental illness. In this article* they say, “Stigma is when someone views you in a negative way because you have a distinguishing characteristic or personal trait that's thought to be, or actually is, a disadvantage (a negative stereotype).”
Some of the more extreme side effects of the stigma about mental health*:
Reluctance to seek much-needed treatment.
Friends, family, and co-workers who don’t understand the struggles that someone with a mental health disorder faces.
Difficulties with success in school or work.
Bullying or harassment.
Poor mental health insurance benefits.
Hopelessness or the notion that one just may not be able to be successful.
For people who are dealing with mental health problems, the ways to deal with stigma from others includes*:
Get help. Some may fear seeking treatment because they don’t want a label or a diagnosis, but the purpose of this diagnosis is to identify the problem that you are actually facing so that it can be dealt with.
Don’t let stigma from others create doubt and shame within you. Shame is not motivating; in fact, it is the opposite. Shame keeps us stuck in place, and it creates a cycle in which negative thoughts prevent us from making any kind of positive changes within ourselves.
Don’t isolate yourself. We are social creatures, even if we don’t necessarily want to admit it. Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, we’ve all still evolved as a species that has depended on each other for support and survival throughout the entirety of human history.
You aren’t your illness. You wouldn’t say, “I’m a broken leg.” That would be silly. You would say that you have a broken leg. If you have any number of diagnosable mental health conditions, you would still be a person with a condition. You get to define yourself however you like. Mental illness doesn’t define anyone.
Join a support group to discover that you aren’t alone, and also to learn from the struggles of others in similar situations as you.
Get help in school or college. Your public school is required to provide kids with a free and appropriate public education that includes reasonable accommodations for those who qualify for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for disabilities that impact behavior and learning or a 504 plan for individuals with medical disabilities. Colleges often take accommodations that have been helpful within the public school system, and they make them available for college students.
Speak out against stigma when possible, whether that is with your friends, family, or when you hear people making ignorant comments. Many of us send a message with what we share on social media as well. Our social media posts do show what is important to us, and sharing information or support about areas of mental health has the potential to reduce ignorance. It also lets people know what we don’t want to hear them talk about.
For those who are lucky enough not to be struggling with their mental health, realize that the people who do struggle aren’t broken or defective. Our brains are incredibly complex, and we are all different. Most mental health disorders include symptoms that could be seen in anyone, but the major difference is the degree with which they affect someone’s life. Everyone struggles with sadness, anxiety, negative thoughts, and conflicting emotions. It isn’t abnormal to double check that you locked the front door. Oftentimes, when we’re talking about mental illnesses, we’re talking about symptoms that everyone can relate to, just on a scale that interferes with some people’s lives. These folks aren’t weird or crazy. Usually, they’re just having a hard time, and they could use some compassion and empathy.
*https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/in-depth/mental-health/art-20046477