Mental Health Stigma

Mental health stigma refers to negative attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours directed towards individuals experiencing mental health issues, or towards mental health in general. It occurs when individuals or society judge a person because they have (or are believed to have) a mental illness, label them with stereotypical thoughts, or discriminate against them. It is also possible that a person may judge themselves or view seeking mental health support as something to be judged, and therefore avoid seeking help.

You may have witnessed people around you saying things like, “You're crazy,” “He's schizophrenic, so he's violent,” “You can't be depressed; you look happy,” “He's anxious, so he's weak,” or “You don't really need a psychologist; you should be able to handle it on your own.” In fact, these judgements often stem from a lack of understanding of mental health conditions. Mental state is the result of many factors, including biological and environmental influences. Therefore, it is not entirely within our control. Just as there are times when we cannot control stomach discomfort on our own, it is not always possible to resolve a mental health issue by ourselves.

The media has also played a significant role in reinforcing this stigma. Because inaccurate and stereotypical images of people with mental illness are often presented, mental illness becomes associated with crime and violence. Mental illness diagnoses are also misused to explain certain behaviours. As a result, false impressions are created in people's minds.

Mental health stigma has a number of negative consequences. It can lead to bullying and physical or psychological violence. It can make it difficult for people with mental health problems to seek support or treatment. It can damage a person's self-esteem and confidence. Eventually, it can isolate the individual.

Coping with mental health stigma requires both individual and societal efforts. Fundamentally, it should be remembered that we cannot control how every segment of society views this issue. Therefore, rather than hiding oneself, accepting oneself as a whole and seeking support when needed is not a sign of weakness, but of courage and strength.