Breaking Down The Stigma and Misconceptions Surrounding Mental Health

Mental Health is vital to our overall well-being, but the stigma surrounding mental health often prevents people from seeking the help they need to live. The majority of the stigma surrounding mental health is frequently fueled by misconceptions and misunderstandings about the topic leading to fear and sometimes discrimination. By dispelling myths and spreading awareness, we can create a more supportive environment for those experiencing mental health challenges. In this post, we will discuss the most common misconceptions and some ways that we can break the ice surrounding mental health.

Understanding Mental Health Stigma

Stigma is a negative attitude that can lead to discrimination against people who are considered or perceived as "different" (Merriam-Webster). In the case of mental health, stigma can take many forms:

• Public Stigma: Society's negative stereotypes about mental health conditions often lead to fear of opening up and avoidance of the matter altogether

• Self Stigma: Individuals start to internalize negative stereotypes which leads to shame and self-doubt which contribute to the reluctance to seek help

• Structural Stigma: There exist policies that discriminate against people with mental health conditions. This is usually very subtle within large corporations and an example of this could be that companies don't include mental health coverage with their medical insurance plan for employees.

With each added form of stigma, the people facing mental health issues get discouraged from seeking help even more and this form of stigma, in essence, compounds the person and increases the stress and anxiety that that individual faces. We must reduce this stigma to, in some cases, save the lives of these individuals.

Common Misconceptions About Mental Health

Fear and misinformation fuel the rise of common misconceptions.

• "You're weak if you have mental health issues."

• The Truth: Mental Health has nothing to do with strength or weakness. They usually involve a variety of factors which include psychological and environmental factors. Just like physical health issues, mental health issues can affect anyone of any race, gender, ethnicity, or age.

• "People with mental health disorders are extremely violent or dangerous."

• The Truth: The majority of mental health individuals are not violent. People with mental health disorders are more likely to be victims of violence. Mental health conditions do not make anyone inherently violent.

• "Mental Health problems are not real; they are just in your head."

• The Truth: Mental health conditions are real conditions that affect your brain. Your brain can get hurt and sick just like your arm or hand. They can alter your brain's thinking and mood. There have been real scientific studies linking mental health to a medical basis.

• "If you can do your daily tasks, you don't need help."

• The Truth: People often hide from their disorders and present themselves as happy and involved in life. This is stemmed from the stigma surrounding this sensitive topic. Some mental health disorders do go unnoticed, but will still eventually need help and therapy.

• "Mental Health Conditions are permanent and cannot be treated."

• The Truth: Some mental health conditions may never heal, but many can be treated or managed effectively. Therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes can have a significant impact. With the right treatment, people can live well-balanced lives after recovery.

The Impact of Stigma

The consequences of stigma can be devastating to communities. Here are the primary impacts:

• Delay in Seeking Help: People who face stigma are way less likely to seek help because they fear the judgment and ridicule that they could face. This leads to worsening symptoms and increased difficulty in managing the condition over time.

• Isolation and loneliness: Stigma often leads people to isolate themselves from social interactions to avoid discrimination. This isolation increases mental health symptoms and prevents the individual from having a support network to lean on when they are recovering.

• Workplace challenges: People with mental health issues face discrimination in the workplace from hiring practices to advancement opportunities. Fear of being judged can prevent individuals from using the resources at their workplace to get better.

• Self-doubt and Lower Self-Esteem: Self-stigma leads to people sometimes judging themselves more harshly than society. This erodes self-esteem and increases feelings of shame which limits one's belief in potential for recovery.

How Can We Break the Stigma Together?

A supportive environment that involves empathy and education can promote understanding and break down stigma. Here's how each of us can do that:

• Educate Yourself and Others

• Learning about mental health conditions and how they impact individuals is the first step. When we understand the facts, we can counter the myths and misinformation that float through the internet.

• Share accurate information about mental health on your social media pages to spread more awareness.

• Speak Up Against Stigma

• Speak up when you witness discrimination and derogatory comments about mental health. Kindness and respect help to normalize mental health discussions.

• Support Loved Ones

• If someone you love is facing mental health issues, make sure to let them know that they are not alone.

• Offer to accompany them to therapy sessions or just listen to them without judgment.

• Encourage Open Discussions

• Make mental health discussions normal. This can encourage conversations about mental health and reduce stigma because a group doing this can have a snowball effect on other people also normalizing mental health discussions.

• Seek Help Without Shame

• If you are experiencing mental health struggles, please know that reaching out is a sign of strength and not weakness. Many resources can help you get better if only you reach out to them.

Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board