Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Health

Most of us were not able to make it too long in our lives without feeling some sort of stigma or shame because of something about us.  Maybe it was your hair cut in elementary school or the clothes you wore in jr. high.  Those feelings are strong and can lead us to avoid certain situations and people.  Michael Angelo has a great article for us this week about the stigma of mental health issues.  Here is what he has to say:

False beliefs about mental health can cause significant problems for those who need treatment the most.  The last thing that someone with a mental illness needs is to be stigmatized because of it.   

Negative attitudes and beliefs toward people who have a mental health condition are common.  Some of the harmful effects of a stigma like this can include reluctance for people to seek help due to a lack of understanding by family, friends, co-workers, or others they may know.

There might be fewer opportunities for work, school or social activities, or trouble finding housing as well.  Let's also not forget that, unfortunately, ignorance about mental health can lead to bullying, physical violence, or harassment.

To complicate matters, health insurance might not adequately cover mental illness treatment.  Also, there's the belief that these individuals will never be able to succeed at certain challenges or that they can't improve their situation because they are just too weak, inadequate, or even crazy.

But, according to Mayo Clinic, steps exist to cope with the stigma of mental health. Here are ways Mayo Clinic provides to deal with it:

• Get treatment. You may be reluctant to admit you need treatment. Don't let the fear of being labeled with a mental illness prevent you from seeking help. Treatment can provide relief by identifying what's wrong and reducing symptoms that interfere with your work and personal life.

• Don't let stigma create self-doubt and shame.  Stigma doesn't just come from others. You may mistakenly believe that your condition is a sign of personal weakness or that you should be able to control it without help. Seeking psychological counseling, educating yourself about your condition and connecting with others with mental illness can help you gain self-esteem and overcome destructive self-judgment.

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

• Don't equate yourself with your illness.  You are not an illness. So instead of saying "I'm bipolar," say "I have bipolar disorder." Instead of calling yourself "a schizophrenic," say "I have schizophrenia." 

• Join a support group.  Some local and national groups, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), offer local programs and Internet resources that help reduce stigma by educating people with mental illness, their families and the general public. Some state and federal agencies and programs, such as those that focus on vocational rehabilitation or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), offer support for people with mental health conditions.

• Get help at school.  If you or your child has a mental illness that affects learning, find out what plans and programs might help. Discrimination against students because of a mental health condition is against the law, and educators at primary, secondary and college levels are required to accommodate students as best they can. Talk to teachers, professors or administrators about the best approach and resources. If a teacher doesn't know about a student's disability, it can lead to discrimination, barriers to learning and poor grades.

• Speak out against stigma.  Consider expressing your opinions at events, in letters to the editor or on the Internet. It can help instill courage in others facing similar challenges and educate the public about mental illness.

"Others' judgments almost always stem from a lack of understanding rather than information based on the facts," said Mayo Clinic. "Learning to accept your condition and recognize what you need to do to treat it, seeking support, and helping educate others can make a big difference."

Have you been stigmatized or seen someone stigmatized by someone who didn't understand the seriousness of a psychological disorder? Please share any personal experiences with mental health issues here. Or, use this space to provide details about disorders, treatments, medications, therapies, etc. They are welcomed!

The more comments related to a particular topic, the better. Let us reason together!

By: Michael Angelo, LCPC